Book Description
Judith Whitman always believed in the kind of love that "picks you up in Akron and sets you down in Rio." Long ago, she once experienced that love. Willy Blunt was a carpenter with a dry wit and a steadfast sense of honor. Marrying him seemed like a natural thing to promise. But Willy Blunt was not a person you could pick up in Nebraska and transport to Stanford. When Judith left home, she didn't look back.

Twenty years later, Judith's marriage is hazy with secrets. In her hand is what may be the phone number for the man who believed she meant it when she said she loved him. If she called, what would he say?

TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER is the epic love story of a woman trying to remember, and the man who could not even begin to forget.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for two (2) copies of  To Be Sung Underwater: A Novel by Tom McNeal.

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 To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal! #Giveaway US/CAN ends 6/21 @aitmama @HachetteBooks #books #contests #sweeps http://tiny.cc/zdmbs" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @HachetteBooks on twitter;
• if you like Tom McNeal on Facebook, comment below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 21, 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. 

Recently, WholesaleKeychain sent me a new digital photo keychain. It's a nice shade of red and has a 1.5" LCD display. The keychain came personalized on the back with my kids' names, per my instructions. The thing is, there was no keychain or carabiner with it. The product box it came in was open and I suppose the carabiner fell out somewhere before the keychain was packaged for shipping. So, apart from carrying it around in my purse or letting my children play with it, I found zero use for this particular "keychain".

The digital photo frame can hold up to 475 photos on its 32 MB of memory. All other specifications are pretty much identical to those of the 4.8 MB digital photo keychain I reviewed last year.

WholesaleKeychain.com offers tons of other keychains. I can only hope that they can be used as such. As it happens, I have a beautiful heart keychain with charm from them that I really love. The digital photo keychains - not so much.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.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.

Book Description
Gourmet cooking for Teens!

There's no need to eat plain and uninspired cooking!

Whether you're a first-time or seasoned chef, you can prepare and take pride in the more than 50 mouthwatering recipes in this book for all times of day.

Here are just a few examples:

• Sunrise Muffins
• Grits and Cheddar Cheese Souffle
• Pizza from California, Chicago, and New York
• 4th of July Shortcake

And there are so many more flavorful dishes!  All the recipes feature organic ingredients and foods that are available in supermarkets from coast to coast.  No recipe is too hard for the beginning cook.  Just follow the step-by-step directions and enjoy making your favorite dishes from scratch.

With stunning photography by award-winner James Peterson, this one-of-a-kinda book will provide a show-stopping culinary experience!

My Review
This gorgeous cookbook is written by renowned chef Matthew Locricchio. It includes more than 50 recipes that are sure to bring inspiration to novice cooks. Even if you've prepared more meals than you can count, you'd enjoy sharing the recipes with friends and family. Teen Cuisine has clear step-by-step instructions and mouthwatering photographs that will tempt you to create - and devour - many of these delicious dishes.

The recipes in Teen Cuisine are divided into breakfasts, snacks, soups, salads and dressings, sandwiches and burgers, pizza, sides, entrees, and desserts. Many are sure crowd pleasers: pancakes, tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwich, oven fries, mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs. There are useful sections on kitchen essentials, kitchen equipment and utensils, and a metric conversion chart. Last but not least, Teen Cuisine recommends using local and organic ingredients, avoiding mystery foods and following safety procedures when cooking.

My kids loved helping bake the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, mix the ingredients for Deviled Eggs, and dunking veggies into the Yogurt and Cucumber Dip. This summer, we will cook and eat our way through the entire Teen Cuisine - yum!

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

Book Description
Catchy desert twists on traditional children’s songs and poems will have children chiming in about cactuses, camels, and more as they learn about the desert habitat and its flora and fauna. Tarkawara hops on the desert sand instead of a kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree. And teapots aren’t the only things that are short and stout — just look at the javelina’s hooves and snout. Travel the world’s deserts to dig with meerkats, fly with bats, and hiss with Gila monsters! Whether sung or read aloud, Deep in the Desert makes learning about deserts anything but dry.

My Review
This wonderfully illustrated children's book introduces desert animals in an entertaining and educational way. The rhymes can be turned into songs following popular kids' melodies. The pictures are beautiful and in great detail. My kids loved Deep in the Desert, and all of us learned new things about desert creatures.

The recommended age range is 3-8, and Deep in the Desert is available in hardcover and paperback. It's yet another great children's book from Sylvan Dell Publishing that combines fun, educational, and visually pleasing in one.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a copy of Deep in the Desert!

To enter, please visit Sylvan Dell Publishing and comment below with the title of another book that you'd like to share with the kids in your life.

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 Deep in the Desert #children's #book! #Giveaway ends 6/13 US @aitmama #contests #books #sweeps #kids @SylvanDell http://tiny.cc/brcmj";
• tell us who would be enjoying the book if you won;
• follow @SylvanDell on twitter;
• if you are a friend of Sylvan Dell Publishing on Facebook, let me know below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 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 of age 18+ with mailing addresses in the U.S. The winner will receive their prize directly from the sponsor.

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

My family spends a lot of time in the kitchen. One of the things I love most about this room are my maple cabinets. The warmth and beauty of the wood makes the kitchen feel cozy and inviting. Add the aroma of freshly brewed coffee or just baked bread, or the appetizing flavors of a homemade meal - what can be more welcoming?

I always take extra care when cleaning the cabinets and the other wood surfaces at home. The gleaming surface of the dining room table, the elegant lines of the chairs and the beauty of the hardwood floors deserve it. I was excited to try some classic Scott's Liquid Gold products especially made for wood: the Wood Cleaner and Preservative and the Scott's Liquid Gold Wood Wash.

These products are known for their ability to clean and restore natural wood. They also work well for fixing squeaky hinges, shining metal, cleaning porcelain, vinyl and more. Manufactured in Denver, Colorado, Scott's Liquid Gold products are made with natural organic oils. They've been around for more than 60 years.

Using the Scott's Liquid Gold Wood Cleaner and Preservative is easy. I sprayed some on a cleaning cloth and wiped the kitchen cabinets, the dining room table, the chairs, the bookshelves... Every surface gleaned happily in the afternoon sun. The natural beauty of the wood really stood out. My floors looked equally great after a quick mop with the Scott's Liquid Gold Wood Wash. The wood wash can be sprayed directly on the kitchen cabinets if they need some extra cleaning of the grease and grime that sometimes inevitably ends up there. I love the results and will be using Scott's Liquid Gold regularly in the future.

There are tons of other ways to use Scott's Liquid Gold - find out more here. Scott's Liquid Gold products can be purchased on their website. Connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter (@scottliquidgold).

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.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.

Did you know that Tide is celebrating its 65th anniversary? That's right - the popular fabric care brand has been around that long.

Back when women wore dresses and high heels to carry their families’ laundry in a wicker basket to their very first automatic washing machine, they used Tide for “the cleanest clothes possible.”  Today, Tide is available in more than two dozen liquid and powder formulas. To celebrate its 65th Anniversary, Tide is issuing special-edition packages with the 1947 label. The retro-packaged Tide, Bounce and Downy are sold at Target this month, while supplies last.

• Washday soaps? Jane tried ‘em all, And every new detergent. But, none matched Tide – and so she cried, “Please send some Tide! It’s urgent!“
• Detergents, soaps, she tried them all and wasn’t satisifed ... But now his shirts are dazzling clean! Smart girl ... she turned to Tide!

The Giveaway
To celebrate Tide's 65th birthday, P&G is giving away a “Retro” Prize Package to two (2) readers of this blog! The prize packs include a T-shirt, samples of Tide and Downy and a Bounce Dryer Bar.


To enter, please comment below what's your favorite fabric care product.


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

• follow me on twitter (@aitmama) and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: "#Win a @Tide Retro Prize Package from @ProcterGamble! #Giveaway {US} ends 6/11 2 winners @aitmama #contests #sweeps http://tiny.cc/z4j58" – you may do this once a day;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and everyone else -  enjoy browsing!

Noor Jewels Necklace 5/27

I love my Prefense hand sanitizer. I keep it in the car and everyone in my family uses it daily.

The latest product from Prefense is their Prefense Hand Wipes. Just as the hand sanitizer, these wipes are silica-based and alcohol-free. The wipes contain soothing botanicals that do not dry skin. One container has 35 hand and face wipes.

The Prefense Hand Wipes are available at the Prefense online store where you can find the sanitizer, too. Starting next week, the wipes will also be sold on Amazon.com.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post but I will be entered into a prize drawing.

Three weeks ago, I posted a review of DIY Cocktails by Marcia Simmons and Jonas Halpren. If you want this book and have a Kindle, you are in luck. Right now, you can get DIY Cocktails for Kindle for free on Amazon!

If you don't have a Kindle, you can buy a paperback version of DIY Cocktails for $11.14.

Happy mixing!

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post.

We love our pets but not the messes they sometimes leave on the floor. Fortunately, there are companies like Simple Solution that offer products specifically formulated to deal with those.

Simple Solution has been creating safe and trusted cleaning products for pet owners for over 30 years. Such cleaners can save a huge amount of time and stress. In 2010, the company introduced Paw Safe™ Household Cleaners, a line of cleaners made without harmful chemicals.

The Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover is a professional strength formula that is three times more powerful than their standard stain and odor remover. It features a Pro-Bacteria™ and Enzyme formula that works faster on the toughest pet stains. It is developed specifically to remove vomit, urine, and feces from carpets, upholstery, or any other water-safe surfaces. In addition, the Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover  completely eliminates odors to discourage pets from repeat marking.

Visit the Simple Solution website to print a $1 off coupon good on any Simple Solution product. The coupon may be redeemed at pet specialty stores nationwide.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. / Canada reader will win a Simple Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover!

To enter, please comment below what other Simple Solution product you'd like to try.

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

• follow me on twitter (@aitmama) and tweet about this giveaway, feel free to copy and paste: #Win @Simple_Solution Extreme Stain & Odor Remover for #pets messes! #Giveaway ends 6/9 @aitmama #contests #sweeps http://tiny.cc/c17sh" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @Simple_Solution on twitter;
• if you like Simple Solution on Facebook, comment below for another entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

I've enjoyed Ritz crackers more times than I can count. I love the classic round ones - plain, topped with cream cheese, with peanut butter, with chocolate... there are so many different ways to enjoy them. Then of course there's the Ritz crackers' more sophisticated cousins - the Ritz Crackerfuls.

My family first tried Ritz Crackerfuls about a year ago. My kids love a snack in the afternoon - something healthy and filling to tide them over until dinner. I usually give them some cut up fruit, a banana, apple slices with peanut butter, or a fruit and yogurt smoothie. We bring pretzels, Pita chips or Cheerios when we go to the park. Ritz Crackerfuls are another nice portable option that we can enjoy at the playground. And now these delicious crackers are available as multigrain.

There are three flavors of Ritz Crackerfuls Multigrain: Sharp Cheddar, Garden Vegetable, and Garlic Herb. We tried the Multigrain Sharp Cheddar. One box has 6 individually wrapped cracker "sandwiches": two large crunchy crackers with soft cheese filling between them. They are made with real cheese and natural flavors. One serving contains 130 calories, 7 grams of fat and 5 grams of fiber. My kids love the crackers - with a glass of milk, of course. I found them tasty and satisfying: the perfect snack on the go to fill me up between meals.

Right now, if you like Ritz Crackerfuls on Facebook, you can download a coupon for $0.75 off any variety of Ritz Crackerfuls.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network, I received a free sample  for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied but by posting this review I will be entered in a prize drawing. The post reflects my personal opinion which may differ from yours.

Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins spins an unforgettable tale of a captivating beauty with a secret, a dashing sea captain on a treacherous mission — and the priceless artifact that seals their destiny.

A DESPERATE BEAUTY
Despite fame and countless admirers, actress Marcail Beauchamp has never forgotten William Hurst, the audacious seafarer she once loved... and lost. Now, forced by a mysterious blackmailer who threatens her family, she must steal an ancient onyx box from the one man she's vowed never to see again.

A BOLD ADVENTURER
To save his brother from a ruthless abductor, William must deliver the artifact as ransom. He's stunned when Marcail, more lovely than ever, suddenly appears on his ship. But when she drugs him and steals the box, his fury knows no bounds.

THE TREASURE EVERYONE WANTS
William pursues Marcail, but too late: she has already delivered the box. The estranged lovers realize they must work together — both to regain the artifact that could mean life or death to his family and to destroy the mysterious blackmailer's power over her family. Thus begins a high-stakes quest through the reaches of Scotland, a quest that stirs up long-forgotten memories and an unquenchable passion....

My husband loves Fig Newtons. For someone who lacks a sweet tooth, that's saying a lot. I am also partial to these goodies. But now - move over, figs: the new Newtons Fruit Thins are my latest favorite.

Newtons Fruit Thins are thin crispy cookies baked with fruit. They come in four varieties: Cranberry Citrus Oat, Blueberry Brown Sugar, Chocolate Raspberry and Fig and Honey. Thanks to the One2One Network, I got to try the Blueberry Brown Sugar ones. They are fruity, crispy, flavorful and addictive. A serving is about 3 cookies and just 140 calories, with 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. One package contains about 32 cookies - I counted! With 8 grams of whole grain, these tasty treats are climbing the charts in my house - we like delicious but we also like healthy.

My kids loved the Newtons Fruit Thins with a glass of milk, and I enjoyed mine with a latte. Mmmmm! Now we are looking forward to tasting the other three flavors.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network, I received a free sample  for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied but by posting this review I will be entered in a prize drawing. The post reflects my personal opinion which may differ from yours.

Book Description
"In your hand, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war." -- Abraham Lincoln, March 4, 1861

I Used to Know That: Civil War brings you back to the classroom and reveals surprising stories, anecdotes, and accounts of colorful people. Brush up (and learn more!) on a variety of topics, including. . .

• Shock and Awe. Casualities at the Battle of Shiloh equaled those at Napoleon's Waterloo, signaling to Americans they were in for a long bloody fight.
• Granny Lee. Robert E. Lee performed so hesitantly - and poorly - in his first military engagement that his detractors dubbed him "Granny Lee."
• Writers on the Scene. Both poet Walt Whitman and novelist Louisa May Alcott tended to the sick and wounded and translated their experiences into their writings.

Relive the story of the men and women who forged a path to freedom, the people who fought the battles, and the volunteers who came to their aid.

My Review
I Used to Know That: Civil War by Fred DuBose offers another nice refresher on stuff you forgot from school. The book is divided into three sections: The Antebellum Period 1800-1860, The War Between the States 1860-1865, and The Reconstruction Era 1865-1877. In the introduction, there is a handy timeline of events from November 1860 when Lincoln was elected president to April 1865 when he was assassinated. The politicians, the battles, the commanders in chief, the officers and gentlemen, the rank and file, the caregivers are all included in the book. I Used to Know That: Civil War contains tons of facts, names and events in a readable format that makes it a useful reference.

I Used to Know That: Civil War was published last month by Reader's Digest.

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

Book Description
"The Play's the thing. . ." -- Hamlet
Shakespeare... that famous Bard of Avon. We've all studied him, read his plays, and quoted his words. But how much do we really remember about him? With I Used to Know That: Shakespeare, you'll be taken back to the classroom for an engaging look that is sure to fill in all the details. Inside you'll find sections that include...

• His life -- the playwright, the lover, the family man
• Synopses of dozens of his plays and sonnets
• Examples of his word legacy -- from "bedazzled" to "bated breath"
• His characters -- brief description of the Bard's most memorable dramatis personae
• An index of his most famous lines, including "Parting is such sweet sorrow"

Whether you're planning an appearance on Jeopardy or simple want to become a better conversationalist, I Used to Know That: Shakespeare takes you center stage, raising the curtain and reacquainting you with the man and his works.

I Used to Know That: Shakespeare is new this month from Reader's Digest.

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

Book Description
Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her ordinary middle-American existence and her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding but exhausting. Meanwhile, Kelly’s own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

My Review
Kelly, the main character in Kaira Rouda's heartwarming novel, is a woman I'd love to have for a friend. She is warm, helpful, and has a nice life as a stay at home mom. She is close to perfection - except that Kelly is unhappy, feeling that something is missing. She decides to take charge and make some changes. Kelly is dealing with her mid-life crisis just as she deals with everything - puts her heart and soul into it, makes a list, and attacks it head on. In the meantime, she manages to help her friends, be in complete sync with her adoring husband, and start a successful business from scratch. She is almost too good to be true. Thankfully, Kelly has her less than ideal moments, too - just like the rest of us.

I was rooting for Kelly to succeed and sympathized with her every step of the way. Ms. Rouda writes with insight, empathy and a sense of humor. Her novel is an enjoyable read about taking a chance and making a good life even better while keeping dear friends close.

Here, Home, Hope is Kaira Rouda's debut novel. Connect with the author on twitter (@KairaRouda) or Facebook, and find out more about her on KairaRouda.com.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: Thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network, I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied but I will be entered in a gift card drawing. The post reflects my personal opinion which may differ from yours.

Book Description
While the body of rodeo star Pony Jones lies motionless in the northern Alabama woods, her spirit is on a mission to find her killer. Invisible to the eye but not to the sixth sense, the only thing Pony can do is guide the living to the truth.

Her grief-stricken father, Titus, wants nothing more than retribution for his daughter's death, so when former police detective Jo Beth Dawson comes to town, something compels him to seek out her help.

But when Jo Beth and Titus team up to track down Pony's murderer, it turns loose a whirlwind of intense emotion and unexpected encounters. As they uncover more and more clues leading them to the killer, dark family secrets are revealed and the two must search their souls for redemption.

My Review
The Tender Mercy of Roses by Anna Michaels is a hauntingly beautiful novel about loss, redemption and finding the strength to go on living. The starting point of the story is the murder of a young rodeo girl. With a sprinkling of the supernatural, her spirit stays on to help solve the mystery of the crime. Her father seeks retribution together with a disgraced female detective who is battling her own demons. The two are an unlikely team but there is more to the story that meets the eye.

Anna Michaels has written an amazing debut novel. Its magic, grace and life-affirming strength stayed with me long after I read the last page.

The Tender Mercy of Roses was published this month by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.

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

At my house, coughs visit often - and not just in winter. Last week, my daughter was coughing daily - then I started, too. The Honibe Honey Lozenges were just what we needed.

Honibe Honey Lozenges are made with 100% pure dried honey from Prince Edward Island. They are available in four flavors: Pure Honey, Honey with Lemon, Honey with Menthol and Eucalyptus, and Honey with Lemon, Menthol and Eucalyptus. I tried two varieties: Honey with Menthol and Eucalyptus and Honey with Lemon, Menthol and Eucalyptus. They contain - you guessed it - honey, menthol and eucalyptus. They are 99.99% honey, with no sugar and just 10 calories per lozenge. The lozenges come 10 or 20 per pack. The lemon variety contains natural lemon flavor in addition to the other ingredients I mentioned.

The lozenges taste very good and can be used by children older than age 5 and by adults. They soothed my throat nicely and the kids liked them, too! I plan to stack up on these for cold and flu season.

The Honibe Honey Lozenges can be purchased at their website and will be available across North America where natural upper respiratory therapy products are sold.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader will win Honibe Honey Lozenges!

To enter, please visit Honibe and comment below with the name of a product you'd like to try.

You may do any and all of the following for extra chances to win: 
Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.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
Let them eat cake! From one of the most popular blogs on the internet comes an innovative, even fun way to diet. Carrots 'N' Cake is all about eating your carrots…and savoring your cupcake, too.
For some people, losing weight means restrictive dieting, obsessive calorie counting, and constant hunger. Not Tina Haupert! She learned that it didn't have to be that way. Tina shows how to drop the pounds and keep them off by adopting eating habits that are healthy, balanced, and above all, livable. She serves up easy-to-follow fitness routines, food tips, and her most popular feature: cookie Friday.

TINA TELLS HOW TO:
Hang with your friends on a Friday night without packing on the alcohol pounds
Navigate buffet tables at parties
Handle the holidays painlessly.
And more!

My Review
Carrots 'n' Cake takes its name from Tina Haupert's healthy living blog. In the book, she shares what she's learned on her journey to healthy living. Tina writes about the meals, the snacks, the indulgences, and the exercise. She shares how she does it - one carrot and one cupcake at a time.

I was not familiar with Tina and her blog until I read the book. In addition to her advice on healthy eating, she provides close to 60 delicious recipes - my favorite part of the book. Carrots 'n' Cake is more than a cookbook with a sprinkling of dieting tips. It's a realistic guide to healthy living according to someone who's been there, done that. I found that at times the book read like a monologue and did not engage me in a discussion (albeit with myself). Apart from that, Tina's tips would be of use to those who want to have their cake and eat it, too - without forgetting about the side of carrots that are a must for a healthy lifestyle.

Carrots 'n' Cake by Tina Haupert was released earlier this month by Sterling Epicure, an imprint of Sterling Publishing.

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

Book Description
STORIES AND SOLUTIONS FROM GOOD MORNING AMERICA'S ADVICE GURU

It happens without warning, and it devastates you: Your closest girlfriend cuts you off completely. No more late-night phone calls and emails, no more catch-up lunches and dinners. She has decided for whatever reason to move on with her life and has left you to try to make sense of what happened. The experience can be as painful as the death of a loved one and as confusing as an unexpected breakup with a significant other. You replay scenes from the friendship and wonder what you did wrong. You've lost a loved one and you don't know what to do.

Now, What Did I Do Wrong? gives voice to this painful, common, yet rarely discussed phenomenon and provides a resource — and some answers—that you can rely on. Relationship expert Liz Pryor has had a number of these breakups herself, and so she set out to discover why they were happening in order to help herself — and others — get through the pain and prevent it from happening again. Through personal interviews and her popular website, lizpryor.com, Pryor collected hundreds of stories of friendships gone wrong. She draws on those stories to explore the dynamics of friendship breakups in a candid, intimate way, revealing the patterns, the warning signs, and some ways to put a friendship right or help it change so that it meets your friend's and your changing lives. She also explains how to end a friendship — if you find that you need to do so — in ways that honor both parties' feelings and your history together.

Like the best kind of girlfriend — one who really will stay friends forever — Pryor blends plain, old-fashioned, feminine good sense and good humor with genuine empathy for the thousands of women who live with the confusion and anxiety that linger after the sting of an ended friendship. What Did I Do Wrong? will validate your feelings and inspire you to be more forthright and compassionate with new and old friends. You will be moved and uplifted by the many stories of strong friendships, broken friendships, and renewed friendships that make this book a treasure of women's wisdom and experiences.

My Review
Reading Liz Pryor's book, What Did I Do Wrong?, is like listening a good friend. She tells stories of friendship between women - the good, the bad, and the ugly - with utter honesty and understanding. Ms. Pryor has interviewed many women about their female friendships, and especially about how these friendships end. She encourages readers to look more closely at their own relationships. Sometimes, women outgrow their friendships - and that's OK, as long as they treat their friends with the respect and openness they deserve. Ms. Pryor shows how to find closure and the strength to move on when a friendly relationship no longer works. She gives practical advice that's easy to understand and to follow. It is my hope that if you read her book, you'd think twice before allowing women close to you fade away from your life unnoticed - or you from theirs.

What Did I Do Wrong?: What to Do When You Don't Know Why the Friendship Is Over is new this month from Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster.

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

Book Description
Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon -- from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

(Includes Special, Never-Before-Solicited Opinions on Breastfeeding, Princesses, Photoshop, the Electoral Process, and Italian Rum Cake!)

My Review
Bossypants, Tina Fey's hilarious autobiography, is as entertaining to read as Tina is to watch. From the cover art to the humorous satire on the back of the dust jacket, Tina's book never disappoints. She is funny, honest and self-deprecating. Ms. Fey shares amusing tidbits about her childhood, her family and her honeymoon. She gives her readers a fascinating look behind the scenes of improv comedy, Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Some of my favorite parts of the book are the chapter on juggling family and career, the one on breastfeeding v. formula, and of course The Mother's Prayer for Her Daughter that I shared on this blog a couple of weeks ago.

Bossypants was published last month by Reagan Arthur Books, a division of Hachette Book Group.

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

Children say the funniest things, and my kids are no exception. The stuff they say cracks me up daily. Now these humorous antics can win a trip to Disney or a nice chunk of cash!

Chicken of the Sea is running a Funniest Kids' Quotes Contest™  where parents can submit the funniest thing their child has ever said for the chance to win one of three prizes – a trip to a Disney park, $1,000 cash or $500 cash. You can enter by visiting Chicken of the Sea on Facebook and submitting a short description of your child’s funny comment or question. The contest submission period ends June 6, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Starting June 7 at 9 a.m. PDT, get Facebook friends to vote for you daily as the winners will be chosen by public vote.

In addition, during the contest submission period, Chicken of the Sea will also be giving away a prize pack to one random contest entrant each Friday.

The Giveaway
Two (2) of my U.S. readers will win a Chicken of the Sea Prize Pack filled with kitchen goodies! The prize packs include a dish towel, oven mitt, measuring cups, bag clip, keychain and Chicken of the Sea seafood products all packed in a reusable grocery bag.

To enter, please share something funny you've heard from a kid recently, or tell us if you've ever tried Chicken of the Sea seafood.

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 Chicken of the Sea prize pack! #Giveaway ends 6/4 {2 US winners} @aitmama #contests #sweeps #food @COSMermaid http://tiny.cc/yg2dl" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @COSMermaid on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 4, 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 an alternate may be chosen. Subject to this site's Official Rules.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a prize pack for free. No compensation was provided for this post.

Got giveaways? Please do share! My weekly linky is below. Good luck to those who enter, and everyone else -  enjoy browsing!

Book Description
It's early summer when Ginny and William's peaceful life in Vermont comes to an abrupt halt.

First, their daughter Lillian arrives, with her two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely when Jane ends up on bed rest. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood - only this time around, their children are facing adult problems.

By summer's end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family - and the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for two (2) copies of The Arrivals: A Novel by Meg Mitchell Moore.

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 The Arrivals by @MMitchMoore! #Giveaway US/CAN ends 6/2 @aitmama @HachetteBooks #books #contests #sweeps http://tiny.cc/yg2dl" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @mmitchmoore on twitter;
• follow @HachetteBooks on twitter;
• if you like Meg Mitchell Moore on Facebook, comment below for an extra entry;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is June 2, 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
Alex Miller is a criminal defense attorney and, at thirty-five, the youngest partner in one of the most powerful law firms in New York City. He's a man at the top of his game with the life he's always dreamed of, complete with a devoted wife, who remains patient with his long hours and high-stakes cases, and the love of a beautiful young daughter.

At his father's funeral, Alex meets Michael Ohlig — a mysterious and nearly mythic figure in Miller family history — who presents Alex with a surprising request: to represent him in a high-profile criminal investigation... an alleged brokerage scam that has lost hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Wealthy beyond words, Ohlig insists he's done nothing wrong, and Alex, who's experienced enough to know that clients always lie, uncharacteristically believes him.

As the facts come out, shocking secrets are revealed that threaten everything Alex believes in–about the law, his family, and himself. Yet Alex's desperate need for the truth propels him to unscrupulous depths, and to confront a past defined by deception and a future in jeopardy... with the realization that one false step could destroy everything Alex holds dear.

My Review
A Conflict of Interest is an engrossing legal thriller that I found difficult to put down. This is Adam Mitzner's first novel and he's drawn from his own legal background to write quite the page turner. The book contains enough legal details to make it convincing. What I liked most about it was how it focused more on the characters than on legalities. Mr. Mitzner really makes the reader consider what's right and wrong and reflect on the crimes and their punishment. Although I anticipated some of the twists and turns, the ending was somewhat different from what I expected.

A Conflict of Interest was released this month by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.

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

Book Description
In his riveting new novel, Will Allison, critically acclaimed author of What You Have Left, crafts an emotional and psychological drama that explores the moral ambiguities of personal responsibility as it chronicles a father's attempt to explain himself to his daughter — even though he knows that in doing so, he risks losing her.

Life can change in an instant because of one small mistake. For Glen Bauer, all it takes is a quick jerk of the steering wheel, intended to scare a reckless driver. But the reckless driver is killed, and just like that, Glen's placid suburban existence begins to unravel.

Written in part as a confessional letter from Glen to his daughter, Sara, Long Drive Home evokes the sharp-eyed observation of Tom Perrotta and the pathos of Dan Chaon in its trenchant portrait of contemporary American life.

When Glen realizes no one else saw the accident, he impulsively lies about what happened — to the police, to his wife, even to Sara, who was in the backseat at the time of the crash. But a tenacious detective thinks Sara might have seen more than she knows, or more than her parents will let her tell. And when Glen tries to prevent the detective from questioning Sara, he finds himself in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that could end in a lawsuit or prison. What he doesn't see coming is the reaction of his wife, Liz — a panicked plan that threatens to tear their family apart in the name of saving it.

But what if the accident wasn't really Glen's fault? What if someone else were to blame for the turn his life has taken? It's a question Glen can't let go of. And as he struggles to understand the extent of his own guilt, he finds himself on yet another collision course, different in kind but with the potential to be equally devastating. Long Drive Home is a stunning cautionary tale of unintended consequences that confirms Will Allison's growing reputation as a rising literary talent.

My Review
Long Drive Home is a novel about actions and consequences - how seemingly small and mundane things, a bad judgment, a lie by omission accumulate to affect the lives of many. Glen, the main character, is a basically good person - a caring father and husband, a hard-working accountant, a thoughtful neighbor and friend. Despite all that, one morning he gives in to a frustration that leads to a bad decision that leads to a tragic accident. It sets off a chain of events that destroy Glen's life from within. Lies, mistakes and good intentions pave the road to his personal nightmare.

The book is written as Glen's confession to his daughter, a couple of years after it all started. Glen holds nothing back - his thoughts, his doubts, his fear about his family, his guilt and his anger, the agony of sinking deeper into deception, the desire to come clean and seek absolution. Mr. Allison masterfully bares Glen's soul but leaves the judgment of right and wrong to the reader. He is one writer to watch - Long Drive Home is his second book, after What You Have Left.

Long Drive Home: A Novel hits bookstores today, published by Free Press.

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 author, publisher or PR firm.

Book Description
Second in line, first in love.
A secret society of younger sons, sworn to aid and abet each other, no matter the scandal or cost.... Their fathers and brothers may rule the world, but they run it... and when it comes to passion, they refuse to accept second best.

Searching for hidden treasure, finding forbidden fantasy.
London's most sensual former courtesan, Viola Whedon, is incapable of being seduced-she does the seducing. Until she meets Leonidas Vaughn. Her salacious memoirs have made her the target of half the lords in England, and Vaughn is the only man she can turn to. When he promises to protect her-and to make her beg for his touch-the alluring beauty finds both offers impossible to refuse.

Leonidas Vaughn secretly believes Viola possesses a fortune given to his family by the King of France. So the strong and sexy Vaughn charms his way into Viola's life . . . and her bed. But when their arrangement is consummated, he'll experience pleasure far beyond his wildest fantasies-and realize his heart may need the most protection of all.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of Isobel Carr's brand new book Ripe for Pleasure (The League of Second Sons).

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 Ripe for Pleasure, latest #book by @IsobelCarr! #Giveaway ends 5/30 @aitmama @ForeverRomance #contests #sweeps http://tiny.cc/3rpy6" – you may do this once a day;
• follow @IsobelCarr on twitter;
• follow @ForeverRomance on twitter;
• go here for additional ways to get extra entries.

The deadline to enter is May 30, 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.