Lady Soma Review & Giveaway

I have a great company I want to tell you about today called Lady Soma which supplies us with Women's Health Products to help us stay healthy. They have a whole range of products but I will talk tonight about the ones that I received to review:

1. Antioxidant Berry Masque
2. Skin and Nail Treatment
3. Renewal Serum
4. Lady Mint Tingle Lip Balm

All of Lady Soma's products are made in the U.S.A.!! Secondly, I have to tell you right off the bat, I loved putting on that lip balm! I have really bad cracked lips due to all the meds I take, I guess, and that I have a low thyroid and don't tolerate alot of water at one time. Just about every time I try to drink a good bit of water it turns on me and I get sick as a dog. So, I have learned to just sip it slowly during the day while I watched TV or while on the computer. I am sure I still don't get enough. But I am drinking enough to stay awhile and semi well so I am doing okay I guess. Course, my body does show the dryness so I am constantly putting on lotions and balms for my lips.

That is the worst is when your lips crack! Lady Soma's lip balm is nice and soft feeling, almost like silk going on. It doesn't feel heavy like alot of other balms I have tried. It really actually seems to be working alot better than some of the medicated kind that I have tried in the past. It does not cake up on one spot either like some of the others I have tried also. Whatever the reason, I love my new lip balm that really and truly almost feels like a sheer gloss. (Best part is that these products are made by women, so maybe that has something to do with it. I am gonna have to check out some of their other products later when I get some extra time. By the way, you can go to their Ingrediants tab and see all the ingrediants that are put into each product!

Next I want to tell you about the Antioxidant Berry Masque that is pictured at the very top. This little jar packs some powerful antioxidants like Vitamin A, C and E. This combination together gives you a good detox facial treatment right at home! The blueberries and cranberries enhance cellular renewal and collegan reproduction. And wow, can it exfoliate your skin leaving it looking magnificent without having to leave the comofort of your own home. The glycolic and alpha lipoic acids create a microdermabrasion-like effect that eliminates dead skin cells to reveal a fresh new layer.

I can also tell you what it reminded me of and that is Philadelphia Cream Cheese's blueberry flavored cream cheese! That was the first thing I noticed about the jar when I first opened it. You definitely can't miss the smell of blueberries! And it even looks like them, too! Yum! Too bad you can't eat it. You will love how smooth and soft your face will feel after you have used this great masque. I left it on for a 8 minutes before I started gently moving in a circular direction. Then rinse off and move on to your next step whether it is a serum or a moisturizer.

After I finished with the Berry Masque I used their Renewal Serum on my face and neck. You won't need much so just use a tiny bit and smooth all over your face. It will feel like silky oil going onto the skin and disappearing. You need to use this serum two times a day, once in the morning and once at night to get the maximum benefit. I loved this serum because it just disappeared right away into my skin and left no oily residue. The formula diminishes the appearances of lines, minor scars, age spots, and sun damage for fresh looking skin. It may be used as a skin brightener to restore complexion and enable an even skin tone.

The Serum will target discoloration and photo-aging by penetrating into the skin with a concentrated dose of Hyaluronic Acid which is will aid in giving you the smooth and soft glowing skin that you desire.

This next product will become one of your favorites really fast! It is the Skin & Nail Treatment and wow does it smell heavenly. The scent is a mixture of sugar cookies, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream all rolled up into one! It goes on really smooth and silky. And for me, it was gobbled up right in front of my eyes! It did not leave a slippery feeling or greasy and did not leave any prints on my laptop! So, that is saying alot for any hand cream. I have never seen any lotion or creams that can disappear like that and not leave any marks on my computer keys.

Ah ha! I peeked and looked at the ingrediants that smell I could not place is cocoa! I knew it was something similar to hot chocolate with marshmallows, vanilla and sugar cookies all rolled inot one. The treatment will promote soft supple cuticles and repairs existing damage. You can apply several times a day if you need to. It also makes your nails look shiny and healthy while it is also strengthning the nails and helps heal dry skin on your hands. All I know is my hands are soft and silky and they smell awesome!

Lady Soma also has some supplements that you can take that will help you with other areas like a Lady Soma Detox that helps women to gently cleanse toxins out of the body and can aid with bloating and weight gain. One of their other products is Fiber Cleanse with Probiotics that eliminates toxins and is used to maintain your healthy lifstyle. The other one is a Candida Advanced Cleanse to help promote the elimination of yeast and keep it from coming back by promoting a balanced bacterial intestine. And then lastly they have a Cranberry Concentrate with Vitamin C to help with the bacteria in your bladder or urinary tract so that you don't get infections there either. Please go to Lady Talk to find out about these conditions and how these supplements can help. But I alway recommend that you talk to your doctor before starting anything new, especially if you are like me and have several health issues. It's better to be safe than sorry later.

Here is some tidbit information I found under the Philosphy of Lady Soma:

Lady Soma solely focuses on the women’s body. We created a strict line, to enable women to find the best solutions to their feminine and personal issues, whether it be for her body or skin. The word “soma” comes from the Greek language meaning “body”. Throughout history, the Mediterranean food and culture, rich in fresh fruits, olive oil, vegetables, fish and whole grains, has been known to be the epitome of health. Scientists have known for decades that people who eat these foods have lower rates of heart disease, cancer and other health issues.

We have developed a line for a woman that strictly focuses on internal and external demands of the body. Here, women, in confidence, can email us or ask our representatives about their complex and personal hygiene issues; while being assisted by an educated and trained representative. You will find all our telephone and email representatives to be fully knowledgeable in all our product lines.

Connect with Lady Soma several ways:

Mailing or Return Address:
10G
310 W 56 Street
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 347-826-3900
Email: support@ladysoma.com
Contact Form
Facebook
Twitter
Sign up for Newsletter (bottom of page)

Lady Soma has been kind enough to offer one winner their own Antioxidant Berry Masque to try. That is a $32.99 value! Thank you Lady Soma! Open to the U.S. only.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega - D3 Review

The above video gives us all some good reasons why we need Omega 3 with Vitamin D3.

I was recently very fortunate to find a company called Nordic Naturals and they make Omega 3.6.9 products for people depending on what their special needs might be. Well, you all know, I am a walking time bomb so who knows what I really need! I do try my best to take what I think is healthy and necessary but I am sure I am still missing out on some things. I guess that is why I have gone on this quest for the right vitamins and the right kind along with the right dosage. I know you have seen quite a few vitamin reviews on my blog lately but I want to educate you as well on my journey to find the right combinations that will make me feel at least halfway better. I don't want to jinx myself by saying 100% better so for now I will settle for 50%, which really isn't that bad. If only you knew how off course my life really is, you would understand why 50% is good.

I found Nordic Naturals actually from another blogger and decided to give it a shot. I knew I needed Fish Oil as part of my healthy life but did not think too much about Vitamin D. You do know that you get that from being out in the sun, right? Anyway, up until 2 years ago I never had to worry about that. I probably spent too much time out because I used to garden and would stay out from sun up to sun down with breaks in between. But when my knees got really really bad and both had to be replaced, the garden was history. I can't bend or squat like I used to and I get tired more easily so my poor garden is just about no garden at all. So, now I do need to add Vitamin D to my regime. Want to know how to tell if you are not getting enough Omega 3's? Well here is a list of some of the signs that you may need more in your diet:

• Fatigue
• Poor memory
• Immune weakness
• Dry skin, eczema, or hair loss
• Heart problems
• Reproductive problems (men and women)
• Mood swings or depression
• Poor circulation

Unfortunately, for me, alot of those signs are also for Fibromyalgia and RA, which I do have also. Well, except for the hair loss I don't think that has much to do with Fibro. But I do have very dry skin and as the years go on it seems to be getting worse. I know that I don't drink enough fluids due to my IBS and the bloating it causes. So, I am a mess! I actually had 3 Internal Medical Doctors tell me that to my face. One even said I sounded like I would be too much trouble and she would take me on for only 6 months but if in that 6 months she could not get a handle on my illnesses, I would have to leave! I kid you not!! My husband even thought at first I was stretching the truth or being dramatic so the next time I scheduled an appointment with yet another new Internist, he took off from work and went with me. Well, he does not doubt me anymore! That doctor even admitted he could not help me that I had too much wrong with me and on top of that, if I got sick and had to go to the hospital, he does not admit patients to the hospital, he lets the admitting ER doctor do that and I would see whatever doctor was on call that night! Now, why would you want to see a doctor who can't come to the hospital to see you?

I did finally find a doctor and she whole heartedly believes in taking Fish Oil and all the benefits that it reaps. I do have high triglycerides which is sorta bad because my heart doctor says the LDL and HDL are important but its the trigs that are more dangerous. My overall cholesterol is not really too bad but because those trigs are high I am on a medicine to lower them. It is working, kinda slowly, but it is working. I know if I could go and jump around and run, then I really would have amazing results but I can't. I used to do all of those things and NOBODY thought that I would be the one who is in the shape I am in today. I was the last person people thought would be sick. I harped at them all the time about how they ate, vitamins, etc. So it is kind of poetic justice if you believe in that stuff.

I am here to tell you that I do still take my Fish Oil, CoQ10, B12 and all of those others too numerous to tell but never thought about Vitamin D until now. For 2 years running now I have had to take very high prescription doses of it because I am so very low. I am hoping that by taking my Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega - D3 supplements that it will show something different when I go for my checkup. I use to hit and miss my vitamins for awhile but have been back on a strict regime of taking them again so let's keep our fingers crossed that between some of the things I have changed and the addition of the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega - D3, that things have finally turned around. The added benefit of this combination is that the D3 formula is also helping with bone health and Immune Function, which is something I need alot!

Oh, and just because you are taking Fish Oil does not mean you can keep eating what you want! You will have to cut down on so much fast food fried stuff and eat more healthy. I do allow myself something from time to time but not every day. Strike a balance that you can live with, because it is important, especially if you want to be around when you have grandchildren!

They also make products for your children and your pets so it is like a one stop shop for all vitamin store. So, while you are taking care of your health, take care of your children's at the same time because what you teach them now will stay with them for a long time. Help them to stay healthy and well. Oh, and don't forget about your dog or cat! They deserve alot of attention too for all the good things they do for you!

Nordic Naturals is running a contest on their Facebook called What Is Essential in your life? You could win tickets to see California. Go to their Facebook and enter there for what you think is Essential in your Life. Who knows, you might just become the winner. I am know this is not going to seem like much to most people but I just want to feel better. To me, that is more essential than anything else. Once your health is jeopardized, nothing really seems the same anymore. It is a struggle to feel cheerful when others are so you don't want to ruin their fun so you let them think you are too. I don't want much anymore. Money can't buy not feeling sick at your stomach. Money can't buy away the pain nor can it make you feel strong enough to finish your housework or make you excited about the holidays when you dont' feel good. So, to me, it is Essential to be healthy and to feel good for a change!

Here is a little snippet of what I found under About Us on Nordic Naturals:

Nordic Naturals was born in Arctic Norway, where founder Joar Opheim grew up and where fish oil is a part of everyday life. When he came to California in the mid-1980s to complete his MBA, Joar was unable to find the quality fish oil he relied on to manage his old gymnastic injuries, and had to consistently bring bottles from Norway—filling his suitcase on trips back and forth.

Driven by his Norwegian heritage, knowledge of fish oil, and love of science, Joar was inspired to contribute to advancing fish oil quality and industry standards. Guided by his personal mission to bring high quality fish oil to the world, Joar has developed several patented fish oil technologies that include flavoring, taste, delivery, and processing—shaping standards for a country and industry that had few guidelines in place.

Bringing forward a new definition of fish oil quality as it relates to purity, freshness, taste, dosage, and sustainability, Nordic Naturals’ leadership has also shifted the model of how to conduct business truthfully and authentically.

Nordic Naturals incorporates ethical and socially responsible practices with regards to environmental consciousness, corporate transparency, philanthropic partnerships, and education—all of which are integral to fulfilling our mission of correcting omega-3 deficiency around the world.

You can connect with Nordic Naturals several ways:

Mailing Address:
111 Jennings Drive
Watsonville, CA 95076
Toll Free: 800.662.2544
Fax: 831.724.6600
Email: info@nordicnaturals.com
Facebook
Twitter
Sign Up for Newsletter
Store Locator

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monetary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Nordic Naturals has given me this product to review. I was not given the product in exchange for a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Images was provided by Nordic Naturals website.

Fit Moms For Life Book Review & Giveaway

I have noticed that this book is all over the internet lately so I know it must be a truly awesome book to have garnered so much interest in how to lose weight and get fit at the same time. It is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix fad type of diet. If you really want to be successful you have to be willing to give up some of the very foods that got you to this and devote some time to doing any type of exercise even if it is small in increments and you work your way up. My belief is that anything is better than nothing!

This book review (Fit Moms For Life) is gonna be a little different than the ones in the past as those were all fictional stories and you have a plot to follow and know sorta where the book is taking you. In this type of book, the ending is not going to be the same for everybody. We are all different, made up different, have different genes and most importantly different health issues.

Take me for instance. I wanted this book hoping it would give me some insight into how to lose the 15 pounds I have put on since becoming sick in 2004 with Fibromyalgia, RA, IBS, Hypothyroidism, OA, GERD, IC (chronic bladder pain), disc in my neck and lower back that is slightly bulged and filled with arthritis and both knees have been replaced already. And I still have a long way to go. I looked thru the book and knew immediately I was in trouble.

With knee's being replaced, you cannot bend them or get down on all fours like you used to. All of my nerve endings are numb and thus, I can't stomach having to get down and feel that awkwardness and I can't get back up once I am down, I have to scoot to a table and pull myself up. I am not allowed to do any aerobics (no jumping or running with my knees). I do have a stationary bike that I use quite often but even I know it is not the same as getting out there and really working up a good sweat with aerobics.

I emailed the author, Dustin Maher, to get his take on what I should do, and bless his heart. I don't think he has ever run across anyone with so much wrong with them. He said my best bet would be to keep up with the bike and try to watch what I eat. Here in lies the whole problem with food:

I have IC (chronic bladder pain). It gets extremely irritated when I eat or drink products that have potassium in them. You go to the grocery store and try to find a product that does not have potassium. I challenge you to do that. There is hardly a food or drink product that does not have it. It is in our cereals, crackers, fruits, potatoes, vitamin drinks, soups, gatorade, oatmeal, yogurt and so many more I cannot name them all. The bad thing is this: most of the foods that I have found that contain traces of it but if I watch it and don't eat too much of it, I won't have a problem. But guess what they are? SUGAR! Everything that is loaded in sugar and calories has less potassium than foods that are good for you.

So, that is how I gained those pounds and though I don't gain anymore, I can't lose what I gained. Because if I try to eat the foods that are good for me, I start to hurt and burn in my bladder then I have to take upteen meds to get it to stop. Or I just eat the sugary items and sit here and watch all of you get healthy and thin. But, just because the book cannot help me, does not mean that it can't help you. It is a well written book by someone who knows what he is talking about (for healthy people) and if you have no medical issues, I think that you will get all the wonderful results that the people in the book claim that they have.

It is a sound plan and if you stick with it, you will emerge a nicely healthy person who has lost some weight and feels good about themselves. I urge you to at least read it and try the program. There are a few exercises here and there that I can do that requires me to not get on the ground and I do those and ride my stationary bike. You will benefit from what Dustin Maher has gained in his knowledge of how to help people lose weight and keep it off. I just was not a good canidate for this program. But if you are, go out there and claim the real you and achieve all that you can be. This is the first step in a long journey that will lead you to success.

Connect with Dustin Maher on Facebook or by watching some of his YouTube videos on exercise. You can also contact him on his website by filling out the Contact Form.

Dustin Maher has been kind enough to offer the winner of the giveaway their own copy of Fit Moms For Life. Open to the U.S. only. Good Luck!

The BluApple Review & Giveaway

I ran across this product quite by accident one day and decided to learn more about it and then decided that this might be a product you might want to try also so I got in touch with them and arranged for a review and a giveaway. I am always interested in finding ways to help my fruits and produce last as long as they can and not cause the other foods in the fridge to smell bad. And this is where the BluApple comes into play. It is a very unique product that will keep your fridge or other areas from taking on the smells of let's say your onions. I don't think you want bananas to smell like onions, do you?

Here is what BlueApple does:

Using the BluApple, you can extend the useful storage life of your produce up to three times longer.

Government experts have estimated a typical family of four throws away as much as $600 worth of spoiled produce each year.

Ethylene gas is given off naturally by fruits and vegetables as a signaling mechanism in order to coordinate uniform ripening. However, once concentrated in your refrigerator or other storage areas, the presence of ethylene gas continues to speed up ripening and hasten spoilage.

You just put them where ever you chose in your fridge and just let that little blue ball go to work. I know we have a tendency to want to keep checking on things but you don't want to keep going the fridge every hour or so. Just let it do its thing and you go do your thing, also! It can handle whatever problems it may face in their contained space and keep your fruits and veggies looking good. This little blue apple will work for about 3 months so put it in and walk away. You should start seeing fewer foods being thrown out which will lower your grocery bill.

The Bluapple is a proven, science-based technology that we have adapted for use in the home. With a single gourmet apple costing $1.25 these days, our produce is an investment worth protecting. It is our view that the Bluapple is essentially FREE. Users easily recover the purchase price in savings within a few weeks, and the Bluapple continues to deliver value for many months thereafter. Oh, Lord look at what I found that just about made me want to cry:

Official surveys indicate that every year more than 350 billion pounds of edible food is available for human consumption in the United States. Of that total, nearly 100 billion pounds - including fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, and grain products - are lost to waste by retailers,restaurants, and consumers.

By contrast, the amount of food required to meet the needs of the hungry is only four billion pounds, according to advocacy groups. Food waste is unfortunate not only in terms of the lost opportunity to feed hungry people, but also in terms of the negative effects on our environment and our wallets. The nation spends an estimated $1 billion a year to dispose of excess food.

So, let's all chip in and do something about this and at least try the BluApple to see if it can help you with some of your produce and that in turn will benefit your family and yourself healthwise, weightwise and just plain feeling better because you are eating most of your healthy food instead of dumping it somewhere in the trash! So far, I don't have any bad smells coming from my fridge when I open it up like I used to and the fruit is staying longer. You can find the BluApple in Whole Foods, Giant Foods, Stop & Shop along with many other stores or if you are comfortable ordering online, you can do that, too.

Here are several options to stay in touch with BluApple:

Mailing Address:
641 West 6960 South, Building 1
Salt Lake City, Utah 84047
Email: answers@thebluapple.com
Contact Form
Facebook
Order online

BluApple has been kind enough to offer (3) winners their own 2 pack of Bluapples for your fridge! Thanks so much! Good Luck!

Applegate Farms Chicken Nuggets Review & Giveaway

I don't know if you have ever heard of Applegate Farms frozen foods before but I know I hadn't until I got fortunate enough to be picked to help them talk about one of their new items, chicken nuggets! They are natural and 7 nuggets are only 180 calories, which is pretty darn good considering what a fast food hamburger goes for these days. I am also impressed that it only took 12 minutes for them to be ready to eat! I love quick and easy. I wasn't really sure what to expect since I had never tried this product before. I have however, tried other brands of frozen chicken nuggets and they were awful! Oh, and if you prefer that your products be natural and organic, they have quite a list of those also to choose from.

We made these the other night with some tater tots we had bought and some cole slaw and when the time came to take them out of the oven, I just prayed and hoped that they would taste good because I had not made anything else as a backup. Well, all that worrying was for nothing because they were actually better than I imagined and even my husband Mike said, "Not bad"! And that is saying alot from him. He is not a big fan of frozen foods so this was actually a pretty darn good endorsement! Of course, instead of honey mustard he uses ranch dressing! Whew, that is just not right!

I think the reason they tasted much better than previous brands is that they kept the nuggets small and did not use a ton of batter to cover them up. Even Charlie, our Yorkie got to have just one nugget and I tore it into small bites for him and he gobbled them right up. Charlie is a very picky eater and hardly eats much of anything, so take this to the bank, when Charlie eats something, it really has to be good! Coupled with Mike's comment, I think we will be having Applegate Farms Chicken Nuggets again in this household.

They are most noted for their great Organic and natural hot dogs, which is something I did not know either so this whole review was a great learning process for me. And here is why:

Made from 100% organic grass-fed and finished beef, these lean hot dogs are bursting with old-fashioned classic hot dog flavor—juicy, flavorful and delicious! These dogs have only 8 grams of fat compared to the average 15 grams in most brands, and because they’re made from grass-fed beef, they’re also high in omega-3 fatty acids (the good fat). Great on the grill or steamed on your stovetop any time you’re craving a taste of summer.

I think the next time, I am gonna have to try those hot dogs! Sounds like and looks like they are pretty darn good for you. If they taste as good as the chicken nuggets, I don't think you will or I will be disappointed in how the hot dogs taste either.

Here is what I found out about the Founder of Applegate Farms on the Roots section (this is only a snippet, so please go and read the rest of his story) and how he stumbled onto the perfect hot dog:

Like most good things in life, I stumbled upon Jugtown Smokehouse through a combination of intuition and serendipity. At the time, Jugtown was a family owned business specializing in nitrite-free bacon (deja-vu!) – and it was for sale. While it bore no resemblance to what Applegate Farms is today, I could see its potential. I also knew there had to be more people out there who would appreciate healthy meat products, so I decided to buy the business without much deliberation.

As it turns out, there are countless people who have a love/hate relationship with meat, and are thrilled to finally find meat products they can feel good about eating. People like you have helped build Applegate Farms over the last 20 years. And with that support, you’ve had a hand in preserving the nearly 300 family farms that supply us with humanely raised meat, without antibiotics or hormones.

So… What if you weren't afraid to read the ingredients on a hot dog package? Like me, you’d feel better about eating them, and serving them to your family. And that simple idea has always been, and will continue to be, the inspiration behind Applegate Farms. From our table to yours, thank you for joining the movement,

Lastly, I wanted you to know why they are so committed to making all of us, the consumers, happy with their products and this is their promise to us:

•Our animals are never given antibiotics. Healthy animals don’t need medicine. Instead, we give them space, fresh air, and a healthy diet, which we’re certain beats the alternative.
•Our livestock eat a completely vegetarian diet with no animal by-products. Cattle in our organic program are grass-fed. Hogs and poultry in our organic program are fed a grain diet that includes corn, soy, barley, and flax that are free from GMOs.
•Our animals are never given hormones or artificial growth promotants. They grow at their natural rate.
•All of our products are made with natural and organic ingredients. If you aren’t familiar with a particular ingredient, email us and we’ll tell you what it is.
•Our products are all minimally processed, allowing for a wholesome texture and taste.
•Our products never contain artificial nitrates or nitrites. Instead, we use celery juice and sea salt to preserve our products the natural and old fashioned way.
•Our deli meat, hot dogs, burgers, and bacon are gluten and casein free.
•Our products are made from natural and organic whole muscle meat. Yes, even our hot dogs! No mystery here.

Connect with Applegate Farms by several options:

Mailing Address:
750 Rt. 202 South, Suite 300
Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5530
Phone: 866-587-5858
Fax: 800-358-8289
E-mail: applegatefarms.com
Facebook
Twitter
Store Locator
Flickr

Applegate Farms has been kind enough to offer one winner her own 2 bags of their new Chicken Nuggets to try! Thanks so much Applegate Farms! Open to U.S. only.

Coupon Trade.com & How It Works

CouponTrade.com: The online savings hub for coupon codes, unwanted gift cards and daily deals

Have you been getting nervous about your Groupon expiring? Is the drawer full of gift cards beginning to collect dust? Nearly $55 million worth of gift cards go unused each day and 30 percent of daily deals go unused each year. CouponTrade.com provides a solution to these dollars that go to waste, offering an online savings hub for consumers to shop using coupon codes as well as buy and sell their unwanted gift cards and daily deals.

Whereas other sites pay based on a percentage of a gift card’s value, CouponTrade helps its users sell to other consumers to recoup from their unwanted deals. On the market place, a user can set the price they want to receive and can manage their own deal.

It’s easy to list a gift card or daily deal – all it takes is a verified PayPal account to begin the process. It is only when a user’s gift card is sold that 10 percent of the sales price plus an additional transaction fee is deducted from the total sale. An email confirmation and a free prepaid shipping label that requires the seller to ship within 48 hours is also sent.

The next time you shop at your favorite retailer, consider shopping online. CouponTrade also has coupon codes from over 1,000 retailers on the site to ensure that users will never pay full price for any item. Since the site’s inception in May, users have saved over $130,000 from actions on the site.

For more information on how to save using coupon codes and recoup from your unwanted gift cards and daily deals, visit coupontrade.com.

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monetary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Image was provided by coupontrade.com.

Linky Followers Blog Hop!

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard the news:

Google Friend Connect is going away after February 29th for non-Blogspot Bloggers and will be completely phased out for EVERYONE in the not-too-distant future!

Have fun meeting and mingling with the many fabulous bloggers participating in this blog hop!

This is a Blog Hop! I made this post so that you could leave your comments here letting me know that you followed so I can follow you back. I have so many giveaways going on right now that you might have had a hard time finding somewhere to leave your comments. Please leave them here because this is where I will check to see who I need to follow back. Thanks!

Blue Moon Promise Book Review

I have another great book to tell you about that is set in the days when they still rode horses and still had great beliefs in God and prayers. Here is an exerpt from the back of the book:

Lucy Marsh's wordly resources are running out, but she's fiercely determined to care for her younger brother and sister. When she discovers that their father's recent death was no accident, Lucy is eager to leave town. She accepts a proxy marriage she believes will provide safe refuge. But trouble follows her to Texas where her new husband is surprised to suddenly have a wife and children to provide for.

Nate Stanton always hoped he'd marry someday, but running the family ranch meant he had no time for romance. When his father deposits Lucy Marsh--a city girl--on his doorstep, with two siblings in the bargain, he expects ranch life will send her running on the first train out of town. But Lucy is mde of tougher stuff than Nate imagined. When danger moves in, Nate finds he'd give anything to protect Lucy and the children he's grown to love. Even if it means giving up his ranch.

Lucy has to accept Henry Stanton's proposal when the landlord gives her 7 days to be out because he has sold the building. The other reason is that the man her stepmother had left with had come back and wanted to take her younger sister with him. Lucy was suspicious because Catherine was not with him so she just shut the door in his face and he yelled for awhile but left. So, the next day, realizing she had no choice, she accepted Henry's proposal to marry his son, Nate and they left to go to Texas, where Nate has a ranch.

What she did not know was that there was a long standing feud between the Larsons and the Stantons over land and her father's brother still held a grudge. Lucy was determined to bring peace between them now that she was married to Nate Stanton. The children took to Nate faster than Lucy and Nate fell in love with all of them after awhile.

But trouble was coming in the form of Lucy's stepmother and the real reason her father had died. Jed, her twelve year old brother knew something but could not quite figure it out and then one day he remembered it all. Finally, the truth was out and Nate knew he had to protect all of them from Catherine who was capable of anything!

I am stopping there because you need some mystery or you won't want to read the book yourself. Enjoy reading what Lucy & Nate go thru to find out that love was always there right in front of them.

Link to buy the book: Thomas Nelson

Kindle Giveaway and More! Save the Date - 3/13!

Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance, and suspense . . . immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under Texas stars.

To celebrate Colleen is teaming up with her publisher Thomas Nelson for a "Blue Moon Promise" Facebook Chat party where she will giveaway a KINDLE Fire and a Texas-sized gift basket (fabulous Texas treats and fun Lucy-inspired housekeeping products)!

Click the banner, RSVP today for the Facebook Party and mark the date on your calendar!Invite your friends and don't miss Colleen's evening of chat, trivia, prizes, and more.

About Colleen:

Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 2 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

For more about Colleen and her other books visit www.colleencoble.com
Blog Tour Schedule

Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Mary Bearden and her cranky camera took the photo used in this review.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall Book Review

I have a lovely book to tell you guys about today called The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen. As is my custom like to give you parts of what was either written on the back cover or on the inside and then give you my opinion of how I saw this book.

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fishbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

Margaret will inherit her fortune when she turns 25 but her stepfather, Sterling Benton intends to make sure that he gets most of it. He persuades his nephew Marcus Benton to go after Margaret and get her to marry him. When Margaret finds this out, she flees the house and ends up at Nathaniel & Lewis Upchurch's home. She has covered her blonde hair with a black wig and cap. She also darkens her eyebrows with kohl.

What is interesting is that at one time, Margaret actually interested in both men! It was Nathaniel who especially liked Margaret. Lewis was the kind of man who wanted a woman, any woman would do for him. Margaret became very close with the men's sister, Helen. Which was a mistake because before long Helen figures out who she really is and so does Nathaniel. But he never lets on to her that he knows who she is and neither does Helen.

One day Lewis is shot by a masked man and almost dies. All of his family and servants are puzzled as to why this happened. It all comes to light when the stable boy Connor was caught trying to finish Lewis off. Margaret asks him why does he want to kill his master and he replies it is because of the way that Lewis treated his 16 year old sister. When Lewis is well enough to travel, Nathaniel sends him back to Barbados where their father is living on a plantation.

This is where the book picks up and really starts to get interesting and that is why I am stopping. I don't like telling the whole story because it leaves you no incentive or imagination to want to read the book. I think you will like the ending and it does have a few surprises in store for you. This was a great story about family, love, the trials of life and what we make of them. Margaret will become your "new" best heroine. I know she was mine as I kept thinking don't let nothing bad happen, even though I knew it was only a book, I still wanted it to all come out and be a huge fairy tale love story. It does but not in the fashion that you might think that it should but you will be rooting for your own personal characters and that is really what reading is all about!

About Julie:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information,visit Julie Klassen

Link to buy the book at Amazon

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

Win a Kindle Fire and RSVP for FB party 3/15!

Enter Today and Save the Date-3/15!

One fortunate winner will receive:

A brand new Kindle Fire

A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14. Winner will be announced at Julie's "Fairbourne Hall" Facebook Party on 3/15 . Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek at her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Blog Tour Schedule: litfusegroup.com/blogtours/julieklassen
Mary Bearden personally reviewed these products. I did not receive any monitary compensation for my review, just a sample product. All opinions are mine and belong to me solely. My thoughts and opinions may differ from yours. Mary Bearden and her cranky camera took the photo used in this review.

Fan Love Paypal Cash Giveaway

Giveaway! $30.00 Paypal Cash for one of our Fans!!! Easy Entry!    

 We want to THANK our FANS fans for being such great supporters!!!   Kat’s Corner Niche has teamed up with some amazing blogs to offer you an AWESOME $30.00 Paypal Cash Giveaway! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway