Monday, February 28, 2011

Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza - The Dark Side of Innocence

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The Dark Side of Innocence
(US/CAN only)

The Dark Side of Innocence: Growing Up BipolarAuthor: Terri Cheney
ISBN: 9781439176214
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Atria Books
Available: March 1, 2011
Purchase from Amazon


About the Book: “Killing yourself at any age is a seriously tricky business. But when I was seven, the odds felt insurmountable.”


As a young girl, Terri Cheney’s life looked perfect. Her family lived in a lovely house in a tranquil Los Angeles suburb where the geraniums never once failed to bloom. She was pretty and smart, an academic superstar and popular cheerleader whose father doted on her. But starting with her first suicide attempt at age seven, it was clear that her inner world was anything but perfect.

“There’s something wrong with her,” her mother would whisper, her voice quivering on the edge of despair. And indeed there was, although no one had a name for it yet. Hostage to her roller-coaster moods, Terri veered from easy A-pluses to total paralysis, from bouts of obsessive hypersexuality to episodes of alcoholic abandon that nearly cost her her life. Throughout Terri’s chaotic early years, nothing was certain from day to day except this: whatever was so deeply wrong with her must be kept a secret.

Thirty years later, Terri wrote Manic, a harrowing memoir that revealed her adult struggle with bipolar disorder. It became an instant New York Times bestseller and received passionate critical acclaim. But it didn’t tell the whole story. The mystery of Terri’s childhood remained untouched— too troubling, too painful to fathom. The Dark Side of Innocence explores those tumultuous formative years, finally shattering Terri’s well-guarded secret. With vivid intensity, it blends a pitch-perfect childlike voice with keen adult observation. The Dark Side of Innocence provides a heart-rending, groundbreaking insider’s look into the fascinating and frightening world of childhood bipolar disorder, an illness that affects a staggering one million children. This poignant and compelling story of Terri’s journey from disaster and despair to hope and survival will serve as an informative and eye-opening tale for those who would trust a flawless facade.

About the Author: Terri Cheney, once a successful entertainment attorney representing the likes of Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, now devotes her advocacy skills to the cause of mental illness.  On the boards of directors of several mental health organizations, she also facilitates a weekly community support group at UCLA's Neurophychiatric Institue.  Her writings about bipolar disorder have been featured in New York Times, the Huffington Post, and countless articles and blogs.  She currently resides in Los Angeles.

The Giveaway: Compliments of the publicist/publisher for The Dark Side of Innocence: Growing up Bipolar is 1 copy for a resident of the US or Canada.  You must be a GFC Follower or Subscriber of this blog to enter.  An extra entry can be earned by sharing this giveaway and leaving the link.  Please be prepared to leave your follow alias or subscriber email.  Ready??  Fill out the form below!  Good Luck!!!!

Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza - The Bird House

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The Bird House
(US/CAN)

The Bird House: A NovelPaperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Washington Square PressPurchase on Amazon
ISBN-13: 978-1439160930


Synopsis:

In THE BIRD HOUSE, seventy-year-old Ann Biddle feels as spry as she did forty years ago.  But her mind is another matter.  She knows she's becoming more and more forgetful, and rails against the indignities of old age.  She's also a woman who is troubled by her past.  She's had her share of heartache: she lost her mother to breast cancer and early dementia, and she, herself, was diagnosed and she had been estranged from her late, wayward father since she was a teenager.  At the center of it all is an unspeakable tragedy that will forever haunt her.

Ann had never been particularly close to her only son's daughter, but at the age of eight, young Ellie is turning into a person Ann enjoys.  She speaks her mind without whining, she's straightforward, and she isn't easily hurt.  Just like Ann herself.  So when Ellie tells her she needs to help work on a school project she jumps at the chance to spend more time with her granddaughter.

Never mind the fact hat her daughter-in-law, Tinsley, constantly worries about Ann's failing eyesight, her increasing forgetfulness, and her penchant for feeding Ellie illicit sugar-filled treats.

A problem arises when Ann learns that the project involves researching her family's history-- something that she would prefer to keep hidden.  She's certainly not going to dredge up old family secrets of death, disease, estrangement, and infidelity.  Instead, she's determined to help Ellie build a more romantic and colorful family history; one that will garner her an "A".

But as Ann and Ellie spend more and more time together, Ann finds herself remembering things she doesn't want to remember, yet can't seem to let go.  Ellie is unknowingly bringing them to the surface with her innocent questions and child-like discovery, new insight into an old secret is revealed.  Ellie, in turn, begins sharing her own secrets and doubts about her mother and father.  Together, they find the healing answers they need.

A richly textured story that delves deeply into the power of memory and the strength of family, THE BIRD HOUSE solidifies Kelly Simmon's place in the upper echelons of women's fiction.

Kelly Simmons is a former journalist and advertising creative director specializing in marketing to women. She lives with her family outside Philadelphia. Please visit her website at ByKellySimmons.com.

Use the form below to enter the giveaway.  This giveaway is for 1 copy of THE BIRD HOUSE, compliments of the publisher!  US/CAN addresses only.  Must follow via GFC or Subscription.  1 extra entry can be earned by sharing the giveaway.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

WINNERS GALORE!

Winner of Thread's West..... KatKLaw77!!!

Threads West: An American Saga


Winner of Tudor Secret....... Angie D!!!!

The Tudor Secret (The Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles)

Congratulations to the winners!!  If you didn't win the links below will take you to Amazon for pricing and buying!  I have MANY giveaways going on right now, including my Cozy Reader Giveaway Extravaganza!  Make sure to enter for your chance to win!!!

Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza - The Mountains Bow Down

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The Mountains Bow Down
(US Only- 1 copy)

The Mountains Bow Down
Purchase on Amazon

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . .

That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, the Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.

But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. The ship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion: Somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free.

Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis-handsome Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack-who might not be as arrogant as she originally thought.

And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family.

Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a mystery so daunting that even the mountains might bow down before it.

About the Author

Sibella Giorello writes an award-winning mystery series that follows the adventures of Raleigh Harmon, forensic geologist and FBI Special Agent. A former journalist, Sibella sowed nearly every wild oat before settling down with her husband Joe, a blues musician from Queens N.Y. They homeschool their children in the mountains of Washington state. For more information about Sibella and her books, please visit her website at www.sibellagiorello.com.

Thanks to the publisher and Litfuse Publicity I have 1 copy to giveaway to a GFC follower or subscriber of this blog!  US Only.  One extra entry available for sharing the giveaway via Twitter, Facebook or Blog.  Fill out the form below to enter!


Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza - CSN Stores Gift Card

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CSN Stores - $45 Gift Card

If you have not visited the CSN stores website you should!  CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, a L shaped desk, or great cookware!  I last shopped CSN Stores for Christmas gifts and had a fabulous experience. If you have not read my review of the nightstand bookshelf I bought from CSN Stores you can view the full review here.

Here is a small taste of my review:

The ordering process was as simple as can be and took no time at all. The product was well displayed and had adequate information in regards to color options, size, weight and cost. I really enjoyed that shipping was included in the cost of the item. This enabled me to know exactly how much I would be spending before adding the product to my cart....

This product was well packaged. Everything fit tightly in the box for minimal shifting during transit ensuring no items arrived damaged.....

This was so easy to assemble....

I have a wonderful wish list in tact for CSN Stores. No matter what your looking for, browsing for or in need of, CSN Stores is sure to have it.  While browsing for gifts and assorted wish list items I stumbled across a CSN Store that caters to funeral needs!  If that doesn't prove variety, I don't know what does!  I have listed some of the items on my wish list below!  Viewing these might give you a little taste of what you could purchase with your gift card!  (Not all items below are valued at the $45 amount.  Please visit the site by clicking on the blue link above to browse items.)

JoJo Designs - Rug-SohoPink - Soho Pink and Brown Accent Floor RugImage 1Rachael Ray - 10505 - Porcelain Enamel 10-Piece Cookware Set in Red

Ready to enter??
Remember the only requirement is that you follow via GFC or Subscription
Use the form below!




Saturday, February 26, 2011

Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza - A Dream Unfolding

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A DREAM UNFOLDING
(International - Ebook)
"A Dream Unfolding" is available on Amazon for the Kindle
Barnes & Nobles for the Nook
Smashwords for Sony eReader, Apple, Kobo, and Diesel

The promise of a new life and a chance to start over…

Hannah Anderson had the life she always wanted, married to the man of her dreams. When her husband’s brother gets in trouble with the law, the town turns against them, shattering her perfect life. Now they are left with only one choice—to head west to the Arizona Territory in the hopes of creating a new life. Will the journey be worth the cost?

Will Colter, after burying his father, is forced to leave the ranch he has called home for nearly thirty years. The journey is dangerous, challenging him and his men. Will he find the new life he was hoping for?

Or, is there a new dream quietly unfolding before their eyes?

This Christian Historical Romance Fiction novel follows the journey of a couple, Drew and Hannah Anderson, as they travel from Cincinnati, Ohio to the newly created Arizona Territory in 1863. In their search for a new life, they encounter many dangers and joys along the way. They meet the governor of the territory and travel with his party, witnessing several historical events.

The story also follows Will Colter’s journey from Texas to the Arizona Territory when he is forced to leave his home. As this rancher drives his cattle across the wilderness, he and his men run into life-threatening situations. Throughout the move his dreams for his new ranch solidify.


Once the main characters arrive in the Arizona Territory, they must learn to adapt to wilderness living. Things are not exactly what they thought. Each character is challenged to rely on God to face dangers in a new, wild territory.

[For those of you who love series, this is book 1!  Book two should be available in Spring of 2011!  Now is the perfect time to read book one in preparation for book two!]

*Reminder*  Must follow via GFC or Subscription and leave your alias on the form below.



Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza - Along Came Ziro

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ALONG CAME ZIRO
(US ONLY)

Along Came Ziro 
Purchase your copy on Amazon
Purchase your copy from the Author

Along Came Ziro is the colorful, rhyming story of a small, blue alien who crash lands on a farm and befriends several farm animals. When he discovers their plight, Ziro asks the animals to join him on his time traveling adventures. But will they join him? Along Came Ziro is the first children's book from video game producer, Townie. Largely inspired by his children, Townie says Along Came Ziro is about realizing that sometimes you have to take risks in order to enjoy some of life's finest rewards.

Along Came Ziro was created by LA-based writer/character designer, Townie. After graduating from UCLA's Fine Arts program, Townie went on to work for DreamWorks, Electronic Arts and THQ.  Check out his website http://alongcameziro.com/index.html

Read my REVIEW of this title.

*Reminder*
You must be a follower via GFC or Subscription to enter. 
3 Copies Available 
Enter using the form below!  Good Luck!!!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Cozy Reader's Giveaway Extravaganza Introduction

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As previously announced I am celebrating the milestone of 500 followers with an Extravaganza!  (aka massive giveaway)  The requirements?  FOLLOW!  It doesn't matter if your new or old, seasoned or veteran .... you just have to be a GFC follower or subscriber! 

Why?  Good question!  This is a giveaway specifically for followers!  The milestone was created because of you!  The donated books were donated because of you!  The time spent on this giveaway's preparation and execution was because I am thankful and happy to have each one of you as part of my blog!  It is an honor. 

How will this work?  Easy!  Each day I will post 2 giveaways until they run out!  Please read about the title and enter only if you are really interested in the book.  Each title will give a quick spotlight of information about the book, it's author and where it can be purchased!  At the end of the spotlight will be a easy form to fill out if you'd like to enter.  Be prepared to leave your GFC alias or the e-mail you subscribe.  I will verify that you follow.

Which country's are eligible?  Each title will have different regulations due to the shipper!  The majority are US/CAN only.  I do have a few international titles that are e-books!  Good luck to all and thank you for following!!

Sarwat’s Guide to Getting Into Publishing

Guest Post by Sarwat Chadda, author of The Devil's Kiss Series

Okay, you’ve probably read the many, many, MANY books on getting into publishing and I won’t bore you with regurgitating all that stuff about Show Not Tell, POV, Inciting Incidents and Apparent Defeats and the Hero’s Journey. You read a lot and you write a lot, I’ll assume that much. Here’s what I know about getting into publishing.

1. Remember, when all is said and done, everything is Star Wars. For example, pick the most girly, New York style story: The Devil Wears Prada. It’s about a young idealistic girl who gets tempted with the promise of power by a dark and charismatic mentor, falling to the dark side before being redeemed at the last moment by love. For the Hathaway character read Anakin. For Meryl Streep read Palpatine. In fact, Prada condenses the entire six movie story arc into one! Glamorous and value for money. The Devil Wears Prada = Star Wars with sexy underwear.

Still not convinced? The Godfather, Part 1. Michael is a idealistic young man who wants gets tempted with the promise of power by a dark and charismatic mentor (in this case, his own father), but he does not get redeemed, but falls to the dark side and becomes more powerful than you can possible imagine, the head of the Corleone crime family. So, this is Anakin in the prequels, his journey from moppet kid to Darth Vader.

The Godfather, Part 1 = Star Wars with spaghetti.

2. It helps to be crap at your day job. It’s a badge of honour amongst authors to have been fired. In my 20 years as an engineer I had about 13 jobs. Twice was escorted off the premises and had my bags checked for any stolen stationary. A writer’s job requires an awful lot of daydreaming. There were many afternoons when I’d wander around a building site and think, ‘There’s no way Bruce Willis could have crawled through that duct in Die Hard, it would have just fallen from the ceiling!’ and thinking of better, more realistic ways of breaking into secure buildings (I have three, send me $10,000 in small bills and the secrets can be yours).

Obviously this is not ideal if you’re a surgeon, then perhaps it’s better to stay focused on the job in hand. Or else start writing for CSI.

3. Enjoy your own company. A lot. That’s not usually an issue because we authors tend to spend so much time inhabiting our own fantasy worlds filled with people we’ve created we forget they’re only made of brain clouds. If there comes a time you’re putting labels on family members just to remember who they are and what their names are, it probably means you’re in waaay too deep. But it’s also too late.

4. Those that write the most, have the most success. If you take anything for this, let it be that. It’s so ridiculously simple, so ridiculously OBVIOUS. Writing is like any other profession, the more you do it, the better you’ll get. Also, remember Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and checking your Amazon ranking is not writing. Keep all those to a minimum. I will admit, it’s a harder rule to follow than you think.

 

Sarwat Chadda  is the author of Devil's Kiss and Dark Goddess as pictured above.  Books can be purchased by clicking the titles below.  You can connect with Sarwat via his WEBSITE and Twitter.



Thank you to Sarwat for his wonderful guest post!

Enter the Giveaway for Dark Goddess!
Use the Form Below!  Ends 3/18/11



Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Life Ready Woman

The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All WorldAuthors: Shaunti Feldman & Robert Lewis
Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
ISBN: 978-14336-7112-8
Source: LitFuse Blog Tour
Tour Schedule & Links
Purchase Book

About the Book
Whether a stay at home; or working mom, an airplane-hopping executive, an empty-nester caring for multiple generations or a single juggling high demands of career and personal life, today's fast-paced modern world leaves women gasping for balance. We as modern Christian women want to look to the Bible for guidance on how to manage our lives -- but because the world of women looks so different today than it did when the Bible was written, it is hard to find chapter and verse that seems to apply to our situation today.

Thankfully, God has given us exactly that timeless, unchanging guidance for how to find peace, clarity, and God's best for our lives once we know where to look! The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World, reveals a profound biblical roadmap for how each of us can find the abundant life we are longing for, rather than the stressful, torn, how-do-I-balance-it-all life we often feel like we are trying to keep up with today. Actually being a Life Ready Woman means that you are clear about your life, bold in your faith, and able to find God’s best for you, and the end result will be that you not only survive but thrive in our do-it-all world.

God has given every wonderfully unique woman different skills and abilities, different desires, and different temperaments -- and every woman around the planet and through the ages is certainly living in different circumstances. But no matter what a woman’s life looks like, the Bible says that God has an individual mission and plan that He’s carefully designed for each of us. And He wants us to find it. The Life Ready Woman will help every wonderfully unique woman to thrive as she identifies and courageously pursues God's unique design and callings for her. Life Ready Woman puts you on a roadmap to make decisions that will lead to relief, delight, and fulfillment instead of regret.


My Thoughts
The Life Ready Woman is a book that promotes an emotionally healthy woman. The book has generalizations that apply to all women but at the same time encourage you as an individual to reflect and grow as a woman. This unique aspect helped me not to feel alone in my everyday struggles yet I was also able to personalize my struggles with the text and encouragement provided. One of my favorite quotes of the book which also helps to demonstrate this was…

“Fatigue makes a coward of us all. What you need is some time to recharge your batteries and put life back into prospective.”
EVERYONE gets tired. We all need to recharge. Everything in life needs a chance to recharge. Nothing last forever. While this is a generalization that fits all, it is something that I struggle with daily as a mom, wife, worker and more! I sometimes forget to recharge. It’s a simple and basic element of life that enables me to focus better, keep a better attitude and feel great! I wrote this quote down because it reminds me of more than just sleep or rest. It reminds me of attitude and outlook.

The book included many helpful items that I am listing below:
  • Chart - Problems women say they struggle with - helped to remind me I’m not alone!
  • Explanation - Issues vs. problems - why they aren’t’ the same, the difference - the solution.
  • Advice - Practical, common sense life ready knowledge - thoughts to ponder
  • Questions - Can we really have it all? Is that practical for anyone?
  • Understanding - Biblical definitions of womanhood, marriage and family - the differences between us and bringing balance to it all.
  • Challenges - thought provoking questions throughout the text - helps make the book personal to the reader
  • Guidance - understanding the big picture - a walk through life of sorts. Helps develop clear goals.
The book gives “Wise Steps” and a Key Verse throughout each section of the chapter “Understanding the Big Picture”. These were particularly helpful to me in understanding each phase better. It also gives four principles for the “Seasons of Life”. My favorite was “There is a time for everything”. It helped bring everything the book talks about into perspective and helped to wrap up my thoughts about life and how it is lived. As a woman our life clearly demonstrates “a time for everything”. Our anatomy brings this simple phrase to truth.

With all the seriousness the book brings it wasn’t without humor. There is a chapter entitled “Using Wisdom With a Man” I had to laugh out loud at this title! All humor aside, the chapter brings a wealth of valuable knowledge to women. It helps remind us or teach us what drives a man, what men need and how to make sure we keep the man of our life thriving. I would recommend this chapter as a must read for all women. I enjoyed the fresh reminder it brought.

The book ends with a great reminder of the “rewards” of being a life ready woman! Overall it reminds us how great it is to be a woman along with the importance of maximizing our abilities, knowledge and talents to God’s glory. The book is aimed and targeted at believers, but has wonderful information for all women. I would recommend it.


 About Shaunti Feldhahn
Shaunti Feldhahn is a former Wall Street analyst, best-selling author of the book For Women Only, national speaker, and regular commentator in the media. She has been featured on The Today Show, PBS, TNT and Fox News- to name a few. You can learn more about her many activities by visiting her website Shaunti.com or get some great mom advice from her at MomLifeToday.com. She and her husband live with their two young children in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoy every minute of living at warp speed.

 About MomLife Today
At MomLife Today you will enjoy community with real moms experiencing every age and every stage of MomLife—right alongside you.

Moms need friends we can walk through life with, but more importantly we need friends who will encourage us and equip us in our role as moms in an honest and transparent way … and that’s just what you’ll find by becoming part of our MomLife Today community! We believe that every MOMent counts!

We admit it, being a mom 24/7 is not easy. Rather than lament the role of motherhood, however, we choose to embrace that role and learn from each other how to make it through each day with the right attitude. Come share the joys, sorrows, insanity, and special moments of motherhood with us as we live it and candidly write about it…we’ll have lots of fun along the way! Join us, and do tell… What’s happening in your MomLife Today? http://www.momlifetoday.com/

Giveaways
In celebration of Shaunti Feldhahn’s Life Ready Woman, MomLife Today is giving away 2 Weekend To Remember Gift Packs and much more!

Not only, is MomLife Today helping promote Life Ready Woman, but they are thrilled to announce that Shaunti will be joining MomLife Today as a regular contributor!!!

Weekend To Remember Getaways offer marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives to strengthen your marriage. Whether you are newly engaged or have been married for 50 years, you will find value in the tools provided at the getaway.

Don’t miss this opportunity to receive a conference registration for you and your spouse … and more! MomLife Today will be randomly selecting NINE lucky recipients to receive one of these great gifts:

  • 2 Weekend To Remember Get Away conference registrations for two. $259 value each pair (Two couples will receive this.)
  • 2 Life Ready Woman DVD packs. $149 value each (Two different people will receive this gift.)
  • 5 Life Ready Woman books. (Book will go to 5 people.)
To enter click one of the icons below then tell your friends. Winner will be announced on March 2nd on the MomLife Today website.

MomLife Today provides encouragement, advice and resources to help YOU with your daily Momlife! Because…every MOMent counts!

Enter the Book Giveaway!!!
 I have one copy to giveaway courtesy of the authors! Please see the rules below and enter on the FORM provided.
  • US addresses only
  • Must follow this blog via GFC or Subscription
  • Tweet/Facebook/Blog share for an extra entry. Leave the link.
  • Giveaway ends 3/12/11. Winner will be announced ASAP.
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