You know I love books!  I love to read and I love to discover new authors!  So when I was offered the chance to review another book, I jumped at the chance!

Let me introduce you to Battered Earth, by D. Hilleren: 

"In the new decade, the world gathers in Stockholm for a controversial climate forum. The stakes are high, as violent and unpredictable storms increasingly plague the earth and sea levels encroach on coastal shorelines. Nicole Hunter, head of the richly endowed Everson Foundation, leads the charge to invest in promising research that will hopefully impede environmental devastation. But her contentious stance has been questioned by others, and now her career and her life are both in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, unseen forces assemble to sabotage any breakthrough that could challenge existing global energy markets. Oliver Odin, a mysterious international agent, is sent by the Security Alliance to investigate ominous threats intercepted by intelligence sources. The evidence leads him to the beautiful, strong-willed Nicole and the brainy scientists attending the forum. But when scientists on the verge of a promising discovery are gunned down at a reception held by a United States senator, it becomes apparent that powerful forces will stop at nothing to prevent the world from being saved. As a few brave souls attempt to rescue the planet from environmental calamity, they soon realize that their mission comes with a price-and some will pay with their lives."

At first, due to the subject matter, I was worried that this would just be a book to put forth someone's personal agenda on the environment.  Happily, I was wrong!  It is a well-written story filled with mystery, murder, and intrigue.  I felt like the characters were well-developed.  After a few chapters I felt like I knew the main characters well, and I was immersed in their lives.

I especially liked how descriptive this book is.  I haven't traveled to all the locations in the book, but I still felt like I'd been there before.  I could picture the locations in my mind.  I think that's a sign of a great writer, to help us recognize places we've never been to before.

I also liked that the chapters were a very readable length.  Just long enough to keep you intrigued, but not too long that you have to stop in the middle of a chapter because you've run out of time.

I liked that the ending had everything resolved, yet left the door open for a sequel.  I was satisfied with the ending but excited that their might be a follow-on novel!

So, are you intrigued?  Would you like to read it yourself?  Well, one of you lucky readers will get the chance by winning your very own copy of Battered Earth!  Very cool! (no weather pun intended!)

Mandatory Entry:
Please leave me a comment letting me know one of your favorite books or authors.   Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

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Contest ends Thursday, March 8th, 2012. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, ages 18 and over.

Disclosure: I was given this book for the purpose of a review. The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

Contest is over and winner has been drawn.  Thanks to all you amazing readers!
  

Most of you know that I am an avid reader!  If I could, I'd have my nose in a book all the time!  So when I was offered the chance to read and review a book, well... I was very excited!

The book is called Island Shifters Book One:  An Oath of the Blood.

From the website:

On the island of Massa, heroes are born not made.

The idyllic lives of four young shifters living in the exiled land of Pyraan are shattered when a tour of legion duty gives witness to a brutal enemy invasion. Born with magical prowess none has seen in over three hundred years, the friends become pivotal in a race against time to save a people they hardly know, but are sworn to protect.
The journey exacts a terrible price from Beck, Kiernan, Rogan and Airron as they battle demons, both real and personal, to save the island.  But, whatever the chances, the shifters will fight.The blood oath will have it no other way.

This is a fantasy book which is not my usual genre.  That being said, I really enjoyed this book.  My interest was captured right from the beginning and it was hard to put down.  I think the author, Valerie Zambito, did a wonderful job of creating characters that were very real, very well-developed, and very likable.  I found myself cheering them on the whole way!

I also enjoyed that it was fast-paced.  There were no slow parts in the book.  I felt the author did an amazing job of creating a new world, yet made me feel very familiar with it.  I could picture the places, the forests, the towns, and the characters in the book.

This is Valerie Zambito's first novel, but it didn't read that way.  I felt like I was reading the work of a seasoned writer.  I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to when Book Two comes out!

So, are you intrigued?  Would you like to win your own copy?  I thought so!

One of your lucky readers will win your own copy of Island Shifters Book One: An Oath of the Blood.

Please leave me a comment letting me know your favorite genre to read. ( I'm usually a sucker for a great mystery!)  Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

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Contest ends Thursday, February 23, 2012. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, ages 18 and over.
Disclosure: I was given this book for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

Like many of you, our whole family has been sick!  I'm just getting over Pneumonia and my family have had sinus infections, colds, the flu... you name it.  Yes, it's that time of year!

When I was offered the opportunity to review some great products from Luden's and Chloraseptic, I didn't know what was right around the corner for our family.  Let's just say we've put these products to great use!

Let me tell you about some great products!  First up, I used the Chloraseptic Warming Sore Throat Lozenges.  Yes... I said warming!  These lozenges soothe throats with a warming sensation, a liquid center, and the new formula has added benzocaine which really helps with the pain and throat irritation.  I had a stack of these with me at all times!  They come in Green Tea and Honey Lemon, I like them both but Honey Lemon is my favorite!

Next up is Luden's Orange Supplemental Drops.  These things taste great!  They are made with real orange juice and also include the recommended daily value of Vitamin C.  I felt like when I was using these that I was not only soothing my sore throat but helping the whole healing process with orange juice and Vitamin C!

Now let me tell you about a new product from Chloraseptic... Sore Throat Lollipops.  Okay, how cool is that!They come in a 10 count box and are individually wrapped.  They have grape, orange and strawberry flavors.  I really felt like I was sucking on a lollipop, not a throat lozenge.  My son liked them so well, he tried to fake a sore throat.  Silly child...  I never noticed a mediciney taste, yet it definitely helped my throat.  Way to go Chloraseptic!  This is such a smart product!

Well, the good news is the whole family is now on our way to good health again... AND I've discovered some great new products!  I really recommend Luden's and Chloraseptic!  They helped the whole family feel better!

Disclosure:  I was provided the products for the purpose of a review.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

Like many of you, I made some New Year's Resolutions to eat healthier and make better health choice for my family and myself.

It takes a lot of time and energy to be a label reader at the grocery store.  I've been one ever since my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.  I spend a lot of time checking out ingredients and trying to make better choices for my family.

Well, General Mills has now made it easier!  The have added a white check to their boxes.  This means that cereal has more whole grains than any other single ingredient.  How easy!  Just look for the check!
General Mills has a great website called Whole Grain Nation that can help you on your quest for eating Whole Grains.  There's a great game and sweepstakes where you can navigate through grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as their first ingredient.  Then you can enter a sweepstakes to win one each of all 50 whole grain cereals!

From General Mills:

According to Dr. Travis Stork, emergency room physician and host of “The Doctors,” identifying whole grain products can be challenging. Shoppers can look for nutritional cues on the front of the box, but they need to read the ingredient list to know if they are getting enough whole grain. Ingredient lists detail ingredients in order of prevalence, and if the words “whole grain” are followed by a grain like wheat or oats, it means the food contains more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Here’s how to determine if your cereals have whole grain as a first ingredient: With all the health messages facing grocery store shoppers, it can be confusing to translate what appears on food labels into nutritional needs, and hard to determine which foods have a meaningful amount of whole grain. Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include: Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day’s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient. Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack. Don’t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don’t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

We have added a lot more whole grains to our diet as a family, and I feel so much better.  I'm fuller faster, and that feeling stays with me longer.  I love that I can find whole grains in some of our favorite cereals including Honey Nut Cheeries (I Love Honey Nut Cheerios), Lucky Charms, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.


Want to try some of these delicious cereals?  Well, how about a great giveaway to help!  One of you lucky readers can win a prize pack containing 5 boxes of General Mills with the white check!  Woot!


Please leave me a comment letting me know which of your favorite General Mills cereal with the white check  you like to start your morning off with. Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

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Contest ends Thursday, February 9, 2012. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, ages 18 and over.
Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Contest is over and winner has been chosen!  Thanks to all you amazing readers!

Yes, I admit it... I'm a fan of the Chipmunks!  I love the movies and have such a good time listening to all the songs!  I've loved them since I was a child!

Well, now there's a very fun game out where you can bust a move with the Chipmunks!  Enter... Alvin and the Chipmunks:  Chipwrecked, the Game!




You wanted to dance along while watching the trailer, didn't you?!   Not only can you dance along to 30 of the Chipmunks hits, but you can customize your own little Chipmunk or Chipette!

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Game is available for the Kinect™ for Xbox 360®, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™.  It is rated E 10+.

Now for the really fun part!  One of you lucky readers can win your own copy.  Please note, the copy for the giveaway is only for the Kinect for Xbox360.

Mandatory Entry:

Please leave me a comment letting me know who 's your favorite Chipmunk or Chipette.  (I'm partial to Theodore!) Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

Extra Entries:
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Contest ends Thursday, February 9, 2012. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, ages 18 and over.
Disclosure: The giveaway is furnished by the sponsor. The opinions are all my own and free of charge!
Contest is over and winner has been chosen! Thanks to all you amazing readers!

Have I got something delicious to tell you about! Let me introduce you to Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips!  These are some very yummy chips!

From their website:

Discover a new world of Flavor Destinations when you crunch into Hawaiian® Kettle Style Potato Chips. The crispy, golden chips are cooked to perfection, then salted just enough to enhance the natural potato flavor. Using the traditional Polynesian recipe that originated the Hawaiian® Kettle Style Potato Chip, only the finest ingredients are used to create a chip that captures the freshness and authenticity of the islands. Open a bag of Hawaiian® Kettle Style Potato Chips, and let yourself be swept away to a tropical paradise of blue skies and warm, sandy beaches. For more information, visit www.hawaiianbrandsnacks.com.

These chips come in four different flavors, Original, Sweet Maui Onion, Luau BBQ, and Wasabi.  My favorite is probably the Luau BBQ, but I'm a sucker for a good BBQ flavored chip, and this is a Good chip!  It's definitely got a little kick to it, but I think that's what makes it so good!
I also like the Original flavor, which has just the right amount of saltiness to it, and the Sweet Maui Onion is scrumptious too!

Let me warn you about the Wasabi... my husband loved it, so did my daughter, in fact it's their favorite.  The Wasabi had my son and I running for a drink of water.  I think I was breathing fire for awhile!  It has some fire behind it!

So, is your mouth watering yet?  Well, one of you amazing readers has a chance to win a variety pack of Hawaiian Kettle Style Potato Chips!  Can I have a "Woot! Woot!"

Please leave me a comment letting me know what flavor you think would be your favorite. Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

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Contest ends Thursday, February 2, 2012. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, ages 18 and over.

Contest is over and winner has been chosen.  Thanks to all you amazing readers!
Disclosure:  The giveaway is furnished by the sponsor.  The opinions are all my own and free of charge!

I have always been a fan of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  Well, General Mills has done it again!  Introducing Frosted Toast Crunch!  Let me sum it up in one word - Yummy!

I admit it, I'm a sucker for anything sweet, so when I had the opportunity to try a cereal called Frosted Toast Crunch, I was all over that!

When the cereal arrived, the kids and I dove into it.  We tried a few squares without milk... ooh, so good!  Then we gave it the milk test... ooh, so so good!  It has a taste of vanilla and a hint of cinnamon.  I really like this stuff!  It's a great cereal to put in a snack bag for an on-the-go treat!

This is now the go-to cereal of our home.  I don't mind at all as it contains 11 grams of whole grain and is a good source of calcium.

Is your mouth watering yet? So do you want to try it for yourself?  Well, one of you lucky readers gets the chance to win a very fun prize pack!  Very cool!

The Prize Pack contains a spilt milk bowl, a lickety spoon, a frosted pitcher, and of course, a box of Frosted Toast Crunch!  See, I told you it was cool! Ü

Please leave me a comment letting me know if you'd eat Frosted Toast Crunch with milk, or right out of the box! Please include your email in the comment if it's not visible in your profile (jane smith at yahoo dot com)

Extra Entries:
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Contest ends Thursday, January 26, 2012. One (1) winner will be randomly chosen from all correct entries. Winner will be notified by email and has 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. This contest is open to residents of the US, ages 18 and over.

Contest is over and winner has been chosen.  Thanks to all you amazing readers!
Disclosure: The product, prize pack, information, and giveaway have all been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. The opinions expressed are all my own and free of charge!