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

Book Description
Dead as a . . . dentist?
They say sugar is bad for your teeth, but can it actually kill you? The Brea Ridge police seem to think so when they find cake decorator Daphne Martin wielding an oversized plastic toothbrush over a dentist’s dead body. Daphne moved back to her small Virginia hometown just months ago to open her Daphne’s Delectable Cakes business and already she’s been mixed up in murder. Now she’s got to prove her sweet innocence again.

After hours of police questioning, Daphne returns home to find Elvis Presley in her driveway. She’s certain she’s hallucinating until the leather-clad hunk orders up a pink Cadillac cake for a convention of the Elvis impersonators. Daphne accepts, but her reporter-boyfriend Ben is suspicious of Elvis’s intentions. Does the King want to make Daphne his confectionery queen? Or is the convention a ruse for a more sinister operation? Daphne’s own investigation into Dr. Bainsworth’s murder, meanwhile, reveals the dentist made as many enemies as he did fillings. Just about anyone could have done him in, but it’s up to Daphne to find the killer — and finish Elvis’s cake — before she’s the one singing “Jailhouse Rock.”

My Review
In March, I had the sweet pleasure of reading Gayle Trent's book Murder Takes the Cake. Ever since, I've been craving the next book from her Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mysteries. I finally got my fix earlier this week, devouring Killer Sweet Tooth in under two days (and I do have many other things on my to-do list besides reading).

Killer Sweet Tooth is another irresistible cozy mystery, following the (mis)adventures of Daphne Martin. A 40 something baker extraordinaire, she has moved back to her small hometown for a fresh start after her divorce. In addition to baking delectable deserts, Daphne has the talent of being at the right place at the wrong time. In Killer Sweet Tooth, she discovers the dead body of a local dentist and must solve the mystery unless she wants her killer reputation following her around town - again. In the meantime, she is baking up a storm - including a peanut butter banana cake shaped like a pink Cadillac for the Elvis impersonators convention in town. Recipe's included!

In addition to the Daphne Martin cake decorating series, Gayle Trent writes the Marcy Singer embroidery series under the pseudonym Amanda Lee. Killer Sweet Tooth: A Daphne Martin Cake Mystery is hitting the shelves on October 11, new from Gallery Books.

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
On what should be the happiest day of her life, Rebecca Ross is panic stricken. Rebecca has just wed Craig Jacobs, but she realizes she put more thought into choosing her florist than she did in choosing the man she's just pledged to love for the rest of her life.

Before Craig, Rebecca, a talented Long Island girl, dreamed of following in her grandmother's footsteps with an acting career. Unfortunately, she was cut down to size by years of disappointment, and by her first love - a Hollywood director. She returned to Long Island a lost and broken woman, and ended up in the last place she ever wanted: her old bedroom at her parents' house.

But Rebecca's mother, an overzealous convert to Judaism, has a long held dream too: marry off her three daughters to Jewish men. So no one is more thrilled than her when Rebecca meets and marries bon vivant Craig Jacobs, the man who has won over the whole family. Too bad they're all about to discover that underneath his charismatic shell, this Prince Charming is anything but!

About the Author
Bonnie Trachtenberg was senior writer and copy chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children's book adaptations. She has also written for three newspapers and penned countless magazine articles. Trachtenberg lives on Long Island with her husband, stepchildren, and four cats. This is her debut novel.

Wedlocked was published in June by iUniverse.com.

Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. I received a copy of the book as a blog tour participant.

I have a double treat for fans of contemporary romance! Hope Ramsay is back with a new book - Home At Last Chance - and Bella Riley's novel, Home Sweet Home, is coming out in October. I am hosting a double giveaway as part of their blog tour!

Book Description: Home At Last Chance by Hope Ramsay
Dear Reader,

You won't believe what's happened. My son Tulane has come back home! You remember Tulane? He'd set out to find fame and fortune in the big, wide world outside of Last Chance, and I'm mighty proud. But that's not the half of it-Tulane isn't only back, he's brought a young lady with him. 

Now Sarah-she does PR for Tulane's stock-car team-she's from Boston, but she's just about the sweetest girl you could meet. I think she's meant to keep Tulane out of trouble after that story in the papers, but he doesn't want to talk about it. Anyhow, the Ladies Auxiliary can't wait to start matchmaking and introduce Sarah to our Reverend Ellis. But mark my words, Sarah is tired of being a good girl. And no one is better at breaking the rules and raising Cain than my son . . . 

Listen to me going on and keeping customeres waiting. I best get back to work, but you come round again. The Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon, 

Ruby Rhodes

Book Description: Home Sweet Home by Bella Riley
What if you can go home again?

Ten years and two hundred miles. That's what separates Andi Powell from quiet, secluded Emerald Lake-and that's exactly how she likes it. But now her job brings her back to the hometown she's tried so hard to forget . . . and to Nate Duncan, the man she's never been able to.

Nate once looked at Andi with love in his eyes. But that was before she left him in the dust to pursue her big-city dreams. Now he's the town's ruggedly handsome mayor with the power to break Andi's career like she broke his heart. As the two clash over the future of Emerald Lake, the sparks that fly between them rekindle a passion neither of them can deny.

Andi may have left town looking for the life she thought she wanted. But could everything she needs have been in Emerald Lake all along?

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) sets of both books included in the tour: Home At Last Chance and Home Sweet Home.

To enter, share in a comment below what's the best book you've read recently. Then say hello to the Rafflecopter!

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Ever tried Quinoa? This grain has been around for over 5000 years, thriving at high altitudes in the Andes Mountains. The Incas considered it a sacred food. Quinoa was re-discovered in the 1970s and today, it's increasingly popular. Nowadays, you can find Quinoa in restaurants, grocery stores and even beverages.

Quinoa is often called a ‘Super Grain’ because it is highly nutritious. It can supply all of the body's requirements: carbohydrates, good fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Quinoa is literally grown by hand and is 100% organic.

The NatureCrops Nutrition Bars are made of Quinoa, fruit and seeds. They come in three varieties: Quinoa and Almonds, Quinoa and Prunes, and Quinoa and Strawberry. Each bar has between 130 and 150 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. They are gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors. The texture is grainy and chewy. The Quinoa bars have somewhat of an acquired taste that I enjoyed after the first few bites. Add a glass of juice or milk, and you get a nice satisfying snack - perfect for a quick bite on the go.

NatureCrops Quinoa bars are available online at The Gluten Free Mall and in most Whole Foods stores.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received complimentary samples to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

I love Tropical Traditions coconut oil, and I love lip balms. These two things together = happy lips.

Tropical Traditions makes fantastic lip moisturizers with virgin coconut oil, beeswax, and virgin palm oil - all of them organic. It's important to know what's in my lip balm because, let's face it, I eat most of it. The lip moisturizers contain no alcohols, no artificial fragrances, and no petroleum products.They come in five flavors: unscented, tea tree oil, cinnamon/peppermint, orange/cinnamon, and citrus. The scented varieties contain organic French essential oils - mmmm!

I've tried all five flavors, and I am in love with every single one. My kids wanted "the yummy lip stuff", too, so I unwillingly shared. The lip moisturizers feel wonderful on my lips. I have tried many, many different lip balms over the years, and the Tropical Traditions lip moisturizers top my list of favorites. If I had to take just a single tube of lip balm to a desert island - the horror! - it would be one from Tropical Traditions.

Check out the entire line of fabulous Tropical Traditions' organic skin care products on their site. They carry lotions, creams, soap, massage oils, skin exfoliators, hair oils, deodorant and more. I've been fortunate to sample most of their skin care and I can tell you the products are amazing. And don't even get me started on their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil. I use it almost daily for cooking, and I am addicted.

The Giveaway
One lucky person will win a set of all 5 Tropical Traditions lip moisturizers! 

To enter, please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form.

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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.

Ever since my kids were babies, I've tried to focus on toys and games that are educational as well as fun. We love those made out of wood because of their quality and durability. Not having to worry about BPA plastics, batteries and annoying noises are other reasons why I love wooden toys.

The HABA Animal Upon Animal Stacking Balancing Bridge Game is perfect for a rainy day or family night in. It includes a variety of animals - flamingo, giraffe, panther, bat and iguana - that are on a long journey. There are many animals but only one hanging bridge leading over the four valleys. The crocodile comes to the rescue. Each player gets three secret stacking assignments on their cards. The goal is to pile the animals shown on your assignment cards on the hanging bridge. The player who accomplishes the assignments first wins the game.

My kids had a blast trying to stack the animals. Watching them tumble down and having to start over was just as much fun. The best part is that the whole family can participate in the game. Animal Upon Animal Balancing Bridge is intended for 2-4 players but if your family has more people who want to play, you could have teams and take turns with the assignments. When we had enough of animal stacking, my kids came up with other games we could play with the animals. I love how the kids practice their fine motor skills with this game. Motivating them to stay focused and teaching them to be gracious winners come in handy, too.

Last but not least - the stacking game is made from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. The animals are painted with non-toxic water based stain. An educational and entertaining game for the whole family that is also eco-friendly? Clearly a winner.

The HABA Animal Upon Animal Stacking Balancing Bridge Game is just one of many interesting toys and games you can find at Maukilo.com. Whether you are looking for a birthday gift or doing some early holiday shopping, Maukilo has tons of exciting gift ideas.

About Maukilo:
Maukilo is the leading supplier of quality, timeless toys and gifts. We provide innovative, safe and eco-friendly playthings for all ages. From infant toys to kids toys, they're fun, educational and last a lifetime. Inspired by European toys and owned and operated by the German based HABA, we're your best source for baby toys, building blocks (from our wooden toys collection), educational toddler toys and everything in between. With Maukilo you Buy Once, Play Forever. 


Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary item to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

This year, Del Monte is helping encourage healthy eating in the classroom for the second time with its annual online contest, “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms.” The program awards cash and fresh fruit to kindergarten through 12th grade school teachers to make it easier to include the healthy living message in classroom activities.

Voting for your favorite teachers starts today, September 26! Each Monday, for six consecutive weeks, the ten teachers with the most votes will win $1000 in cash for classroom supplies and fresh fruit for healthy school snacks. The top teacher each week with the most votes will also win a Del Monte Field Fresh Day, in which Del Monte Fresh Produce will treat their entire school to an afternoon of fresh fruit, games and prizes.

Parents can register to vote once per day for as many teachers as they like. Urge your favorite teachers to register, and your friends and family to vote for them so they can win.

The Giveaway
In addition, Del Monte is giving away $25 in Del Monte gift certificates to three (3) of my readers!

To enter, please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter form below.

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Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a Del Monte gift certificate for participating in the campaign. No compensation was provided for this post. Prize fulfillment by sponsor. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm.

Book Description
Sir William Christie, a ruthless self-made tycoon, is dead. His four adult children, born to three different women, gather for the reading of the will, only to learn that he has offered each sibling a test, rather than riches.

Born out of wedlock to Sir William and a French dancer, Lady Vivienne Bancroft endured life in a Parisian slum until Sir William adopted her following the death of her mother. Keenly aware of her bastard status, Viv longs to gain financial independence and finally be rid of her estranged husband, Miles Durham, a sexy viscount with a penchant for cognac and poker.

When the gambling man comes back into her life for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne’s dilemma: she must earn her father’s inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa.  Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, Vivienne and Miles must determine if the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare — or the most treasured reward?

My Thoughts
Vivienne, the heroine of Flawless, believes she is the polar opposite of her husband Miles. An illegitimate child adopted from the slums of Paris, she has worked diligently to obtain a position in society and her father's approval. Viv's marriage to debonair aristocrat Miles started as a business deal rather than a love affair: she gets a title, he gets the money to support his estate and expensive habits. When Viv's father dies, she inherits a failing diamond business and the challenge to make it profitable - or get nothing. For her, Miles is an unlikely ally but the two agree to join forces and try to make the business a success.

Most of the events in the book take place in the Cape Colony in Africa during the 1880s. I learned some interesting tidbits about the diamond trade at the time. Viv and Miles's characters are well-developed against a fascinating background of people and events that are reminiscent of the Wild West. Their business acumen is put to the test but so are their feelings for each other. In the biggest gamble of their lives, Viv and Miles may just uncover a flawless treasure - or lose everything they care about.

Flawless by Carrie Lofty is new this week from Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. It's the first book from The Christies series - and I am looking forward to the others.

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

Book Description
From pirate bugs to spittlebugs to lovely Luna moths, children will love learning about the world’s insects in Multiply on the Fly! Following in the footsteps of What’s New at the Zoo? and What’s the Difference, this rhythmic book teaches multiplication in a way that will make children “bug” you for more. Teeming with fun facts, readers will multiply a variety of insects, including daring dragonflies, hungry honeybees, and stealthy walking sticks. The “For Creative Minds” section in the back of the book keeps the fun rolling with facts about the insect life cycle, matching insect activities, and multiplication guides to make anyone a multiplication master.

My Thoughts
Multiply on the Fly is a refreshing and fun first look at multiplication. Beautiful illustrations of dragonflies, ladybugs, and other insects perfectly complement the rhyming story. My kids were enchanted by the book, loudly counting bugs, wings and legs on every page. Multiply on the Fly, written by Suzanne Slade and illustrated by Erin E. Hunter, is recommended for ages 4-8.

Multiply on the Fly, a new children's book from Sylvan Dell Publishing, includes a section For Creative Minds. Young readers will learn fascinating facts about insect body parts, play a Match the Insects game, follow insect life cycles, and find an Insect Multiplication Table. More multiplication activities are available for free on the book's homepage at www.SylvanDellPublishing.com.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a copy of Multiply on the Fly!

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. Then say hello to the Rafflecopter!

* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser.





Disclaimer / Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy with no obligation for a positive review. No compensation was obtained for this post. Photo and book info courtesy of the publisher.

Founder Debbie Morgan created Delta Labs because she wasn't happy with the quality of vitamins and supplements she was giving her family. As a mother of three, Debbie understands how hard it is to take care of children and focus on your body.

Delta Labs offers natural herbal formulas that can help maintain or improve your health. One of these 100% herbal formulas is the Green Tea Plus Herbal Metabolites. I was excited to try it because my days are busy and sometimes it's hard to summon the energy I need to keep up with my kids. I took the Delta Labs Green Tea + Supplement for a month. I had it in the morning after breakfast, and I noticed that I felt more energized and focused - even late in the day. It gave me a much needed little boost without affecting my sleep. My appetite was about the same but I had less carb cravings. I love sweets, so not wanting them as much is a big plus in my book.

One bottle of Delta Labs Green Tea + Supplement contains 60 capsules - a 30-day supply since the recommended dose is 2 per day. The supplement retails for $49.99 and right now, it's on sale for $39.95.

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader will win a bottle of Green Tea supplement from Delta Labs (ARV $50)!

To enter, please comment below what other Delta Labs product you'd like to try. Then say hello to the Rafflecopter!

* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser.





Disclaimer / Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. I received a complimentary sample to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed in this review are based on my personal experience and may differ from yours. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. As with all supplements, consult with your physician before use. No health claims are made or implied. 

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

BombayFashions.com is an online store offering affordable fashion jewelry and accessories. Their Bella Collection includes a large selection of necklaces, earrings and bangles. These pieces make a stylish fashion statement - and no one would ever guess that their average price is just $20!

The Bella Collection bracelets have been featured in many magazines, such as O, The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, Glamour, Lucky, Seventeen, Redbook, and more. Their jewelry has been worn by Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna, and Katrina Kaif, among others. I love how art and fashion come together in this collection. The bracelet selection ranges from single bracelets to multiple-bangle sets made from a variety of materials - metal with gold or silver plating, wood with intricate designs or silk threading, enamel, and others.

The Giveaway
Two (2) lucky winners will each win any one item from BombayFashions.com’s Bella Collection!

To enter, please comment below what you'd pick from the Bella Collection if you won. Then say hello to the Rafflecopter!

If you can't see the form, please refresh your page or try another browser.

All of my pillows have pillow protectors. It was not always like that but now no pillow lays unprotected around my house. Despite my expertise in total pillow protection, I must admit I had never seen a quilted pillow protector. Quilted mattress protector - sure. Then why not one for your pillow?

Pamela's Quilted Pillow Protectors are just that. I slept very well on one last night. They are soft, comfy, and laundry safe. The fabric is nice and thick. These protectors are well made and I can tell will last a long time. Pamela's Quilted Pillow Protectors are available in queen and king sizes and can be purchased online. A set of two queen-sized protectors costs $14 and a set of two king-sized ones is $16. You can also buy a single protector for $8-$12. That's just a fraction of the cost of a good quality pillow - and will help avoid replacing it too often.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary item to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and you can help support a good cause. Hanes, the makers of comfy clothing for 110 years, are doing their part. The company has created a new Facebook application that lets fans personalize and send free virtual Comfort Packages to friends and family. For each package sent, Hanes will donate $1 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (up to $25,000). The organization promotes early cancer detection and provides mammograms for those in need.

Sometimes people turn to a favorite piece of clothing for physcial comfort. Hanes knows that comfort can also come from memories, music and a kind word of encouragement from a friend.

Hanes created the Comfort Packages to bring a smile and help spread comfort to fans’ social networks in a small but meaningful way. The free virtual Comfort Package can be sent from the Pink tab on the Hanes page. The Comfort Package is fully customizable with photos, videos, recipes, T-shirt designs, music and messages. Sending a Comfort Package is one of many gestures that can brighten someone’s day.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I am sharing this information thanks to my involvement with the One2One Network. No other compensation was received but I will be entered in a prize drawing. 

I never thought one of my kids would keep sucking her thumb beyond the infant stage. But she has. And it turns out to be a habit that's surprisingly difficult to break. At first, I was not very concerned because I believed she would outgrow it quickly. The truth is, the longer it goes on, the harder it gets to stop. I know a boy who was still doing it in high school. By then, his right thumb was misshapen and weird-looking. Yikes!

There are many reasons why I want my child to break the thumbsucking habit. While self-soothing with a pacifier or a thumb is something completely natural for a baby, at an older age it becomes more than just babyish behavior. Beyond the obvious reasons - keeping germs out of her mouth and don't wanting her to be teased at school - a prolonged sucking habit may have more serious consequences. As every pediatric dentist will tell you, sucking can lead to a variety of problems, such as misalignment of teeth and jaw, raised palate, and even speech problems. Positive reinforcement is key.

Now kids with a thumbsucking habit and their parents can get some help from a special Thumbuddy. Thumbuddy to Love is a small finger puppet that is designed to fit on a child's thumb. It comes with a storybook and encourages kids to stop sucking their thumb in a fun, playful and positive way. There are two Thumbuddies - Ballerina Sue for girls and Fireman Fred for boys. The book includes a 4 weeks calendar page where parents can put a check mark or a sticker for every day their child does not suck their thumb. In 2009, Thumbuddy to Love received a Mom's Choice Award in 2009 for its thumb sucking products.

Thumbuddy to Love is designed for children older than 3. The dolls are a choking hazard, so don't try them if your child has not reached the appropriate age. Even if they weren't, in my opinion before that age a child may not be developmentally ready to follow consistently a reward system. For kids who suck on a pacifier, there is The Binky Fairy doll and book.

If I were to make a great product even  better, I would have the doll look more like the pictures in the book - or vice versa - to reinforce the connection between the two. My daughter was quick to point out that Ballerina Sue the doll has a pink tutu with ruffles while the one in the book has a light pink tutu with polka dots. The tutu attaches with a piece of velcro that can be scratchy when the skirt comes off. A non-removable tutu or one with an elastic waist would work better. The doll is surface-washable but it survived a spin in the laundry - safely encased in a zippered pillow cover.

Ballerina Sue and her storybook are very cute and my daughter enjoyed both. While she has not stopped sucking her thumb yet, I appreciate having Ballerina Sue in my corner. Helping my child break her habit will take some time and effort but it will be a bit easier with the help of our Thumbuddy.

Thumbuddy to Love: Ballerina Sue, Thumbuddy to Love: Fireman Fred and Thumbuddy to Love: The Binky Fairy can be purchased from their website as well as on Amazon.

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary item to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

Book Description
Cozy up for this great rainy day read! Prairie Storms gives you a front row seat to learn about a year of ever-changing prairie weather, and how the animals living in these grasslands adapt and survive in this harsh climate. Each month, read about a new animal, and learn about everything from how a prairie chicken can survive the January snows to how an earless lizards escapes the harsh, unrelenting drought of August. Told in lyrical prose, this story is a celebration of the great American prairies.

My Review
Prairie Storms is a beautifully illustrated children's book that shows how nature changes with the seasons. Each month is represented by a two-page spread featuring a bird or an animal in their natural surroundings. Beautiful, flowing prose tells the story of the prairies - snow drifts and fog, winds and rain, thunderstorms and heat waves. Kids will enjoy learning about seasonal changes, animal habitats and natural phenomena.

At the end of the book, there is a section For Creative Minds that builds on the story in a way that's educational and entertaining. The book is recommended for kids aged 4-8 but will be enjoyed by children and parents alike.

Prairie Storms, written by Darcy Pattison and illustrated by Kathleen Rietz, is a new fall release from Sylvan Dell Publishing.

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

Today, I have two treats for romance fans - Christie Craig's Don't Mess With Texas and Jane Graves' Heartstrings and Diamond Rings. Howdy!

Book Description: Don't Mess With Texas
Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect...

Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it...

Book Description: Heartstrings and Diamond Rings
HE'S THE MAN OF HER DREAMS...
In a world full of frogs, Alison Carter is determined to find her prince. Maybe her dating past is more Titanic than Love Boat, but she's seen enough happy marriages to know that true love is possible. No matter what, she won't give up on happily-ever-after. If she can't find Mr. Right, she'll simply hire someone who can.

SHE JUST DOESN'T KNOW IT YET
When Brandon Scott inherits a successful matchmaking business, he thinks his prayers have been answered. Set up a few lonely ladies, collect the fee, how hard can it be? No one needs to know he's not really a professional matchmaker-especially not his first client, the beautiful, spirited Alison. Soon he's falling for her-and her dreams of kids and carpools. But Alison is getting close to figuring out his secret, and if she learns he's deceived her too, she'll walk right out the door, taking Brandon's heart with her.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) sets of both books included in the Forever Texas tour: Don't Mess with Texas and Heartstrings and Diamond Rings.

To enter, share in a comment below what's the best book you've read recently. Then say hello to our friend the Rafflecopter!

Quagmire Kids offer fun children's shirts that seem to magically change color. It's not magic - it's ColorFusion, an amazing new technology that allows clothes to change color with heat.

I received the Quagmire Kids tee on a hot summer day. When I opened the package, the shirt was yellow. A few hours later I got it out of the laundry hamper to wash. Now it was a pale green! Except for the spot where my fingers touched the fabric - there I could see the yellow again. My daughter had a blast pressing her palms on the shirt to see her handprints. She could not wait to wear the "magic shirt" to school. I know, I know - the coolness factor of this shirt is through the roof! She also said the shirt felt nice and soft (translation: quality cotton fabric) and she loved how it looked (translation: a very nice girly fit).

And there is more: Quagmire Kids uses exclusive Gud N’ Dri moisture-wicking technology that provides static and wrinkle resistance, anti-pilling and UV protection. Looks stylish, feels great AND protects my child from harmful UV rays? Now that's what I call a winner shirt.

The Quagmire Kids shirts are available in sizes for children 4 to 14 year old. The tees retail from $25 to $45 and can be found on their website, at DicksSportingGoods.com, and at other online and retail locations.

If you are having Quagmire envy - I know I am! - do not despair. The company makes very cool golf clothing for grown ups, too. I am seriously in love with these shirts - and I don't even play golf.  

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received a complimentary item to facilitate this review. No compensation was provided for this post. Product description and pictures courtesy of the company or PR firm. 

You may have noticed that I've started using Rafflecopter for my giveaways. In my opinion, it will make entering giveaways easier and save time - especially for those of you who love extra entries (I know I do!).

Feel free to let me know in a comment how you feel about using Rafflecopter. Love it? Hate it? Want me to switch back? Do tell!

And if you've never used Rafflecopter before, check out this short video tutorial.

How to Enter Rafflecopter Giveaways from Rafflecopter on Vimeo.

Book Description
Brilliantly researched and wonderfully written, LOVE AND CAPITAL is a heartbreaking and dramatic saga of the family side of the man whose works would redefine the world after his death.

Drawing upon years of research, acclaimed biographer Mary Gabriel brings to light the story of Karl and Jenny Marx's marriage. We follow them as they roam Europe, on the run from governments amidst an age of revolution and a secret network of would-be revolutionaries, and see Karl not only as an intellectual, but as a protective father and loving husband, a revolutionary, a jokester, a man of tremendous passions, both political and personal.

In LOVE AND CAPITAL, Mary Gabriel has given us a vivid, resplendent, and truly human portrait of the Marxes-their desires, heartbreak and devotion to each other's ideals.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of Love and Capital: Karl and Jenny Marx and the Birth of a Revolution.

To enter, share in a comment below what's the best book you've read recently. Then say hello to our friend the Rafflecopter!

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


Zippies Collection 9/25

We love our guac at my house. In fact, we have a guacamole day several times a week! But today is the real deal - National Guacamole Day. Celebrate it with these great offers from my favorite guac brand - Wholly Guacamole! We don't eat just any guac - only the guacest will do.

COUPONS

• Facebook: $2.00 online printable coupon available (1 print per person) ONE DAY ONLY http://www.facebook.com/WhollyGuacamole
• Red Plum: $1.50 featured Sept 16 "Dash for Cash" http://www.redplum.com/dash
• http://eatwholly.com When new folks register an account and also subscribe to the newsletter, they will receive a one-time $1.50 registration coupon to be printed online. (Hint: there's also $1.00 coupon in the next newsletter scheduled to release the last week of September).

SCHLOTZSKY'S Deal
Go to Schlotzskys for lunch and receive free guacamole for your sandwich! Also, receive a $2.00 coupon to take home with you.

TUNE IN TO FOX & FRIENDS!
Wholly Guacamole will be featured on the cable news program Fox & Friends at 7:30 AM Eastern Time.
Tune in and see all the great recipes they'll be sharing. Then keep an eye out on Facebook and Twitter as they share the recipes online!

The GuacMobile will continue down the East Coast, so go see them if you are nearby!

• NYC: Saturday, Sept 17- Madison Square Boys and Girls Club Fun Fest
• Baltimore: Sunday, Sept 18- Baltimore Farmer's Market
• Atlanta: Saturday, Sept 24- Centennial Olympic Park

Ever wonder where to put your phone, ID, credit card, keys, cash and other small valuables when you go to a sports event or take the kids to the park? I usually bring along a small backpack but sometimes, I really don't feel like toting it around. Leaving stuff in the car was not the safe thing to do, either - until now. Meet SafeSpace, my smart little helper from Master Lock.

SafeSpace is a portable personal safe that keeps my valuables protected when I am on the go. It can easily fit my camera, phone, car keys, driver's license, credit cards, and cash. I can bring it along or leave it locked securely to the steering wheel of my car. SafeSpace attaches via a metal cable that can be used as a carrying handle. This personal safe is lightweight and waterproof - going to the beach or to the pool, anyone? SafeSpace lets me set my own 4-digit combination which makes it easier to remember. College kids can use it on campus, adults can bring it to the gym, to the office or on business trips, families can take it to a game, the zoo or the playground. Worry about dropping it? Don't - shock absorbing foam on the inside protects your electronics from damage.

SafeSpace comes in white, gray, or pink, and retails for $27.59. The peace of mind and the convenience? Priceless.

The Giveaway
One lucky reader of this blog will win a Master Lock SafeSpace!

To enter, please comment below where you keep your small valuables while on the go.

This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to the winner, #306 tannawings!

Book Description
This novel was originally published under the title The Wolves of Andover.

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and his mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of the role he played in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood. At once a love story and a tale of courage, The Traitor's Wife confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories from the dramatic background of America's earliest days.

The Giveaway
Thanks to publisher Hachette Book Group, I am hosting a giveaway for three (3) copies of The Traitor's Wife by Kathleen Kent! In addition, one of these lucky winners will get a copy of Ms. Kent's other book, The Heretic's Daughter.

In my experience, kids get sick more often when they are back in school. The coughs, the sniffles, and of course the fevers. Dealing with a feverish child is never fun but taking their temperature is a bit easier with the Mother's Touch Thermometer.

The Mother’s Touch thermometer fits on my finger and all I have to is slide it along the temple part of my kid's forehead. Mother’s Touch is clinically tested and uses what’s called RATE technology. In simple terms, the thermometer measures the body's heat flow, calculating core body temperature - not skin temperature - within 6-8 seconds. And I don't need to remember to add a degree when reporting it to the pediatrician. I just have to make sure I wait two minutes between taking my kids' temperatures for the most accurate reading.

Mother’s Touch is easy to use at home and on the go. Whether my children are on the playground, on the soccer field or in bed asleep, taking their temperature is a snap. No more rummaging through the bathroom cabinet for rubbing alcohol or having my kid squirm while waiting to get an underarm reading with a stick thermometer. Now if I could only find a thermometer that magically brings the fever down...

The Giveaway
One lucky U.S. reader of this blog will win a Mother’s Touch thermometer (ARV $29)!

To enter, please comment below how you deal with a fever.

This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to the winner, #237 DonnaP!

Book Description
Life in Sofia, Bulgaria, in the late 1980s is bleak and controlled. The oppressive Communist regime bears down on all aspects of people's lives much like the granite sky overhead. In the crumbling old building that hosts the Sofia Music School for the Gifted, inflexible and unsentimental apparatchiks drill the students like soldiers — as if the music they are teaching did not have the power to set these young souls on fire.

Fifteen-year-old Konstantin is a brash, brilliant pianist of exceptional sensitivity, struggling toward adulthood in a society where honest expression often comes at a terrible cost. Confined to the Music School for most of each day and a good part of the night, Konstantin exults in his small rebellions — smoking, drinking, and mocking Party pomp and cant at every opportunity. Intelligent and arrogant, funny and despairing, compassionate and cruel, he is driven simultaneously by a desire to be the best and an almost irresistible urge to fail. His isolation, buttressed by the grim conventions of a loveless society, prevents him from getting close to the mercurial violin virtuoso Irina, but also from understanding himself.

Through it all, Konstantin plays the piano with inflamed passion: he is transported by unparalleled explorations of Chopin, Debussy, and Bach, even as he is cursed by his teachers' numbing efforts at mind control. Each challenging piano piece takes on a life of its own, engendering exquisite new revelations. A refuge from a reality Konstantin detests, the piano is also what tethers him to it. Yet if he can only truly master this grandest of instruments — as well as his own self-destructive urges — it might just secure his passage out of this broken country.

Nikolai Grozni — himself a native of Bulgaria and a world-class pianist in his youth — sets this electrifying portrait of adolescent longing and anxiety against a backdrop of tumultuous, historic world events. Hypnotic and headlong, Wunderkind gives us a stunningly urgent, acutely observed, and wonderfully tragicomic glimpse behind the Iron Curtain at the very end of the Cold War, reminding us of the sometimes life-saving grace of great music.

My Review
Wunderkind is the story of Konstantin, an exceptionally talented teenage pianist living behind the Iron Curtain in the late 80s. Born and raised in totalitarian Bulgaria, Konstantin comes of age during the two years preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The life of a wunderkind in Soviet-era Bulgaria is not for the weak. Conform or perish, seek shelter in your music or be crushed are the only options available to Konstantin and the other young musicians at the Sofia Music School for the Gifted. Their talent is simultaneously an escape and a curse. Unable to reconcile the magical world of music with the suffocating, senseless rules of his daily life and the reality of a regime that crushes any individuality, Konstantin takes a path of rebellion and self-destruction. He is a tragic figure torn between the supreme emotional pull of his music and the desire to defy everyone and everything around him.

Mr. Grozni has a remarkably vivid way of putting music into words. He contrasts its mesmerizing beauty with the ugliness of a world of futility, senselessness and desperation. Wunderkind offers a surreal glimpse into both.

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

Now that my kids are back in school, I worry about some unwanted "gifts" they might bring home. Head lice and bed bugs top my list. While we've never had them - touch wood! - I am concerned we might at some point. Bed bugs thrive in areas where many people gather, especially where they rest. They can infest even the cleanest homes, and their bites can cause irritation, rashes and allergic reactions. Plus, the yuck factor... I hope I never have to deal with them! Thanks to a product I discovered just recently, I might not have to.

Now there is an all-natural way to prevent and treat a bed bug problem. Stop Bugging Me! is an eco-friendly treatment that is safe for the entire family – including pets. The spray is laboratory tested to eliminate and prevent bed bugs and their eggs.  It comes in several sizes and can be used when traveling, at home or commercially. Bed bugs can hitchhike anywhere so it’s important to spray onto any bed bug prone or infested areas – bus seats, backpacks, school supplies, floors, linens and clothing. While I cannot spray it around at my kids' school, I can use it at home and on their school stuff. Moreover, I don't have to do it every day because one spray of Stop Bugging Me prevents bed bugs for up to two weeks.

The Stop Bugging Me! spray formula is 100% biodegradable and has a pleasant scent. The active ingredients are 2-phenethyl propionate, a natural insecticide, eugenol, sodium lauryl sulfate, geraniol and cinnamon oil with aromatic bark. I am definitely bringing it along when we go on vacation. The spray can be used on mattresses, furniture, carpets, walls, and luggage. And - unlike toxic-based products - it can be sprayed directly onto any detergent safe items, including bedding and clothes.

Stop Bugging Me! is available online and at over 15,000 stores nationwide, including Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS, Walgreens and Duane Reade.

The Giveaway
Three (3) lucky U.S. readers of this blog will win a 12 oz spray bottle of Stop Bugging Me!

To enter, please comment below if you've ever had to deal with bed bugs.

This giveaway is closed. Congratulations to the winners: #9 AnneLoyd, #107 Hannah, #125 pinkghosta!

Book Description
We all tell ourselves stories to make sense of the world. These stories ultimately determine if we will lead healthy, productive lives or get into trouble. In REDIRECT, world-renowned psychologist Timothy Wilson proposes a radical new view-that although these narratives can be extremely hard to change, they can change surprisingly quickly if tweaked in the right way. Wilson blows the whistle on failed attempts to solve a broad range of problems and reframes them with new stories.

• How can we best recover from trauma?
• Why might some sex education result in more teen pregnancies?
• Why might that self-help book have left you distinctly unhappier?

Each chapter includes "Using It" sections, offering a range of practical advice, from writing exercises to parenting techniques to happiness practices that work. Wilson's theories in REDIRECT have been tested scientifically and found to have real results, towards both personal meaning and happiness and social progress.

The Giveaway