~The Pea in Peanut Butter~

Kailee loves peanut butter. But a bedtime snack turns into a dance party with all of the foods in the kitchen pantry when they come to life. This story teaches young children 3 - 6 yrs. about the various healthy foods.

I had the pleasure of reading this to my daughter, Indigo, last night before bed. This was the cutest story ever. I swear Indigo tried to con me into going into our pantry just to see if her can of peas would start to talk! The ending even had Indigo laughing.

The story and the pictures held her attention.

Oh and the cute saying about the color of foods....Perfect!

As for a rating....

Indigo said...

"It was awesome and pretty." 

(She just turned 4)

Pick up your own copy:

Amazon   Barnes and Noble   Book Depository

I actually won this book direct from the author's blog and she has NO CLUE that I'm reviewing it!

Visit author Allyn Stotz here.

She has some really interesting posts and you can read a free sample of The Pea in Peanut Butter. 

~Fit Moms For Life~

So, it's almost the end of the first month of the new year.

I have to ask...

How are those NEW YEAR's RESOLUTIONS going?

I bet a bunch of you made that dreaded one to LOOSE WEIGHT....

Yep...I used to make that one every year too, but then since I ended up breaking it by my birthday (33 days from this post..LOL), I just gave up.

This year however, I received an email asking if I'd review a book....

The cover looks great right....that's not all....

Fit Moms for Life is perfect for Mothers (and women in general) who want a fitness program that works. Dustin Maher says:

• Traditional Cardio Doesn’t Lose Fat
• You Can’t Work Out to Compensate for Poor Eating
• See Results 9 Times Faster With Burst Training
• Learn ONE Exercise That Shrinks a Waistline WITHOUT diet changes
• Burn Fat While You Sleep
• A Healthy Environment Equals A More Fit Family

Now how on earth could I say no?

(Well I could, but I'm not that mean!)

My Review:

Overall the book as a whole was rather interesting. It did have a wealth of info that I myself will be using in the future. Dustin's motto:

Putting yourself first is the least selfish thing you can do

 Is exactly what this book is about.

I loved the list of "The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15", and I do like the idea of a food journal. 

I like the idea of eating "grass-feed" meat and "free-range" poultry, but in the end sometimes that isn't always budget friendly for all.

Dustin does a stellar job when it comes to the exercise chapters....WOW, New rules of Cardio!!!

Heck, who needs a gym....I can workout at home!

(Too bad I can't use the 4 yr old as a dumb bell.)

I even liked the fact there was a chapter to help include the family!!!

So, what I didn't like....

It's not so much that I didn't like it but after a few I just started to skip them.....

This book includes 31 transformation stories from other women who have used this program and lost weight.

31 stories at the end of the chapters and comments through the chapters was a bit much.

I'm really glad I did this review. Maybe some of you need a little extra boost this year and this book might be right up your alley.

It's available at:

Barnes and Noble     Amazon

http://fitmomsforlife.com/ 

And the book isn't all that Dustin has to offer.....

He also has DVDs out and has a monthly Fit Moms For Life program
Available at:

Dustin Maher Fitness


I could totally stop right here and be done, but I wanted to add a little more (besides I like to see myself type!)
If you are sitting there on the fence thinking about this book visit  Dustin's website:
http://dustinmaherfitness.com
Check out his background story, learn more about the book, see more case studies and then go from there.
As with any diet program/exercise program remember to check with your doctor first to make sure you're healthy enough to start :0)


I received a copy of Fit Moms For Life for this review. 
My review is my opinion solely my own.....can not be bought or sold. 
  

~The Winner Has Been Chosen~

That was SO MUCH FUN!

I'm am so glad Rafflecopter had their "stuff" back in order this time around...LOL

It made for such a smooth Hop!

A BIG THANK YOU 

to our co-hosts

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Martha's Bookshelf

They made 

a wonderful hop!

.

I know you are just dying to know who won right????

The Rafflecopter has chosen:

Samantha M.

An Email has been sent.

I wanted to say that I enjoyed reading all of the comments....I think the majority has no problem with 

Friday the 13th.

For those of you wondering....I did something stupid...I DROVE!!!

In turn...I broke the Tie Rod Bracket on my jeep. My neighbor who is a mechanic was surprised that I even made from the gas station to my house.

After that I stayed in....figured I could have eggs in the morning instead of cereal....LOL

Up next in my head:

Reviews:

Fit Moms For Life

True Highland Spirit

?????

Hops:

~Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop~

It's that time!!!!

Friday the 13th....LOL

The day that I myself am not allowed to do the following:

1- Drive

2-Drink anything in any moving vehicle

3-change any windshield wipers

4- change light bulbs

and finally I'm NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE NEAR THE COFFEE POT!

So...that being said I guess I'll be sitting here hopping blog to blog.

Thanks to our hosts

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Martha's Bookshelf...it appears that it will be over 200 blogs!

I think that should keep everyone safe...LOL

Now what can you possible win here....

I will be giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card....so you may get whatever you dream about.

I'll email the winner on the 19th after I get caffeine in the blood stream.

All you have to do is follow the directions on the rafflecopter to enter and you are set :0)

After you are done entering please don't forget to check out the other wonderful blogs in the hop

Click here for a complete list

~Big Red~

All Lindsay wants is a normal life. What she’s got is anything but.

Betrothed to the Devil by her greedy father, Lindsay was blissfully unaware there was anything unusual about her life until her twenty-first birthday, when the groom appeared before her and presented her with a black diamond wedding band.

Displaying uncharacteristic patience and soft heartedness toward his young wife, Big Red (as Lindsay calls him) endures all her attempts to annul their union and forge an independent life as far away from his world as she can possibly get. In the end, all he really wants is her happiness.

When the ghost of Lindsay’s father visits and offers her exactly what she wants, will she still be so eager to rid herself of her husband?

OMG!!!  This is way beyond funny! 

I laughed my booty off when Lindsay went to the movies...seriously.....Hellraiser!!!!

I actually felt sorry for "Red".

The story itself is short, but WELL written. The characters are fun and far from anything normal, which just adds to the story.

Lindsay, is stubborn, but so determine. Where as "Red" is just the devil in love (Funny).

Then you have ghost dad...hmmm...yeah...I don't like him!

I would like to think that I would do the same thing Lindsay did. I'm just trying to picture the devil, red skinned with horns and yellow eyes as a turn on....LOL


Get your copy:
Amazon      Barnes and Noble

I look forward to reading more from

Lorraine Sears

I received this review copy direct from Untreed Reeds Publishing.

Untreed Reads was founded by Jay A. Hartman in 2008 as a way to promote ebooks, with an emphasis on independent authors and publishers. He has been writing about the ebook industry for twelve years, and was previously the Content Editor for KnowBetter.com, one of the Internet’s oldest sites dealing with ebooks and epublishing.

~The Very Thought of Him~

By Jessa Callaver

Dara's in a slump. Her smalltown workaday life is beginning to wear her thin. Bored one night, she encounters Kelly's ad online, and something is ignited in her. She flirts and he responds. The only question is, can she muster the courage to step away from what's safe?

For an erotic short (only about 20 pages), it has the heat and sensuality. The story at first is a bit confusing but as it progresses you realize exactly what the author is doing.

I loved being drawn in on the give and take of the first meeting of Dara and Kelly...

Definite shock though...... when the meeting became a M-E-E-T-I-N-G!!!!!!!

I can't wait to see what happens next since this ended on such a HUGE cliff-hanger!!!

Will Dara or Won't she????

Nice one Jessa!!!

Find Jessa Callaver on:

Goodreads    Smashwords    

~If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?~

Wicked stepmother? Check. Evil stepsisters? Check. Miserable life? Check.

Lucy Norton's life has all the makings of a Cinderella story. Her dad's always away on business, leaving Lucy with her cruel stepmother and bratty stepsisters. She's burdened with chores, and has a hard time fitting in at her new school. So when she sees Connor Pearson, the star player on the varsity basketball team, Lucy hopes her destiny has finally changed. With everything else going on in her life, doesn't she at least deserve to get the handsome prince?

I adored this story...thinking this was going to follow along as every Cinderella story always does, I was so surprised at how the author took this story. I really wished my best friend had this book to read, a long time ago!!!!

Lucy's character wasn't the normal "Cinderella" , she was spunky and full of attitude. Once she landed her so called "prince" her life changed for the better so she thought...

That's where I just fell in love with this book....the turn of play....

I kinda wished she would have seen more of herself before the prom, but I guess sometimes it takes a bit longer.......

"Prince", Connor, I really didn't like you!!!! 

Sometimes it takes strength to stand up for yourself  to make your life better and this story is an amazing example of that. 

~Buy your own copy~

Amazon        Barnes and Noble          Book Depository

.....Special Treat......

Click to read first chapter

......Want to know more about the author.....

Melissa Kantor

This book was provided to me courtesy of Net Galley and Disney-Hyperion. 

~A Special Guest Post~

From the desk of Pamela Samuels Young: Today is a new day, which means you have a fresh opportunity to pursue your passion. Have you been thinking about changing careers? Perhaps you’d like to go back to school or start your own consulting firm. Maybe being a stay-at-home mom is your dream job. Unfortunately, every time you think about taking the first step, the fear of leaving the virtual security of your current job floods your head with dozens of sound reasons why you should stay put. Whether your dream is to write a novel, become an interior decorator or start your own catering business, you can make it happen. Here are five tips that will help you begin your journey. 1. Find Time To Plan Your Career Move With the demands of work, family, church and community activities, you may think you don’t have a spare moment to even think about, much less pursue, your dream career. You’re wrong. If someone had told me I could’ve published four novels in four years while still practicing law, I would’ve said, “No way.” The key is having a passion and a plan. It won’t be easy, but you can find free time where you least expect it. The next time you’re taking a neighborhood jog or walking on the treadmill, use the time to think about possible locations for the day spa you’ve dreamed of opening or mull over the plot for that book you’ve wanted to write. Instead of listening to your favorite CD during your morning and evening commute, use the time to work on the business plan for your jewelry-making business. A Dictaphone can be a pretty handy tool in that situation. Your lunch break and the two to three hours you spend in the beauty shop can also be put to good use. With your family’s support, you might even find an evening or two to run off to your local library or a nearby Starbucks for some business-planning time. Even if it’s only an hour a week, use it. 2. Don’t Reinvent The Wheel You may not realize it, but you have a multitude of resources all around you -- family, friends, colleagues, church members, sorority sisters, and even strangers. Don’t be afraid to request an informational interview. If you want to run a bed ‘n breakfast, call up the owners of a similar establishment in another community, invite them to lunch and tap their brain. People love to talk about themselves and many will be flattered that you want to ask them for advice. The Internet is also a valuable resource. You can enter a few key words on Google and thousands of helpful articles will appear right before your eyes. Just remember: research, research, research! 3. Join Professional Organizations It’s a good idea to surround yourself with others who share your interests and passion. There are hundreds of professional groups whose sole function is to help their members develop their creative talents and realize their business goals. As a writer, I belong to Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America. I rarely make many of the meetings, but when I do, I always learn something or make some contact that helps me along in my writing career. No matter what your passion is, there’s bound to be a networking group you can join. Organizations like Minority and Women Business Owners, Women Entrepreneurs, Inc., and BizyMoms.com, just to name a few, provide information, support and networking opportunities. Find the organizations that can be most helpful to you and join them. 4. Understand That It Won’t Happen Overnight Unfortunately, entrepreneurial ventures don’t come with the guarantee of a regular paycheck. I assumed that after releasing my first novel in 2006, Oprah would call and the rest would be history. That has yet to happen. Somehow, I’m still balancing both my legal practice and my passion: writing legal thrillers. It can sometimes be quite stressful, but each time I have a new book that hits the stores, I’m re-energized and more committed than ever about reaching my goal of becoming a full-time writer. There will no doubt be disappointments when things don’t happen in accordance with your time schedule. But if you remain faithful and focused on your goal, it will happen. 5. Ignore The Naysayers We all know people who believe you should find a good job, work as hard as you can for 30 years, then retire at 65 and enjoy life. For them, the thought of leaving a secure, well-paying position for the uncertainties of entrepreneurial life is unthinkable. That kind of limited thinking won’t help you realize your dream. When I proudly tell people I hope to one day give up practicing law to become a full-time novelist, they smile and look as if they want to pat me on top of my head and say, “That’s nice. Now run along back to your briefs.” You have to decide what you want to do and go for it. And don’t be surprised if you turn out to be your biggest obstacle. When that happens, just look your self-doubt squarely in the face and command it to go away. The same degree of preparation and persistence that helped you land your current position will also help you smoothly transition into your dream career. So don’t just dream about pursuing your passion, make it happen!

Such a GREAT way to start the New Year!!!!

Pamela Samuels-Young is a wonderful author of legal thrillers.

For excerpts of her books and more information feel free to visit her website here.