A loving heart is the truest wisdom – Charles Dickens

It’s a month away from Valentine’s Day, one of my favorite holidays as it’s all about love! Love for your sweetie, love for your friends, love for your children, love for your parents, love for your teachers, love for yourself, love for the stranger at the coffeeshop who gave you an extra shot of espresso or the one who helped pick up your groceries when they fell in the rain.

Love has no limits.

From now until Valentine’s Day I will be posting some of my favorite Valentine’s Day picks. Some will be reviews and many will be reviews and giveaways. Enjoy!

Heart of the Ocean
by Heather B. Moore

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost  . . . a handsome stranger  . . .
What more could Eliza Robinson want?
Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza’s life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

Author Heather B. Moore
Heather B. Moore is the award-winning author of ten novels, two inspirational non-fiction books, and two anthologies, including The Newport Ladies Book Club Series, A Timeless Romance Anthology, and Christ’s Gifts to Women (co-authored by Angela Eschler).

Her historical fiction is published under the pen name H.B. Moore. She is the two-time recipient of Best of State in Literary Fiction, two-time Whitney Award Winner, and two-time Golden Quill Winner for Best Novel. Her most recent historical novel under H.B. Moore is Daughters of Jared (2012 LUW Gold Award of Excellence & 2012 LUW Best Book Trailer).

Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/27/12

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Daisy: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Presidential diarist and author Janis F. Kearney transforms civil rights legend Daisy Gatson Bates’ life from black and white, to living color.  The author, who interviewed Bates many times; recreates her conversations and interviews to “fill in” places left un-filled, and colors incidents and experiences, to bring Daisy Bates to life. Kearney plums the mysterious murder of Bates’ mother, and the orphan’s childhood; the young woman’s prophetic decision to share a traveling salesman’s life; her non-traditional role as co-publisher of an award winning newspaper; and her leadership role at a time, and place where women rarely led.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place is Daisy’s “look back” at her life, and…finally, a self-analysis of how, and possibly, why she became the Daisy Gatson Bates for which she is known throughout the world.  Author Janis F. Kearney recounts the leader’s many friendships, relationships and associations that helps define who she was in the eyes of the world – from Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Clinton; First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.; Roy Wilson, NAACP President; Thurgood Marshall and Wiley Branton, NAACP attorneys, Maya Angelou and Jackie Robinson… and countless others.

The author met Daisy Bates in the summer of 1969, at the age of16. From that moment, the high school student dreamed of working for the woman her father called one of Arkansas’ greatest leaders – black or white.  The book is based on the author’s personal interviews, oral histories, conversations and in-depth research.

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/21/12

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Dead Running

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she’ll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Cassidy Christensen wants to run.

Captured by the traffickers who killed her mother, her only hope is Dr. Tattoo, a man she loves but nobody trusts. When she finally gets a chance to run, someone else she cares about is taken. Running might be her only chance at survival, but she won’t allow another family member to be killed in her place.

This must-read sequel to Dead Running will have you laughing, biting your nails, and hoping for more.

Author Cami Checketts

Cami Checketts is married and the proud mother of four future WWF champions. Sometimes between being a human horse, cleaning up magic potions, and reading Bernstein Bears, she gets the chance to write fiction.

Cami graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Exercise Science. Cami teaches strength training classes at her local rec and shares healthy living tips on her fitness blog: http://fitnessformom.blogspot.com.

Cami and her family live in the beautiful Cache Valley of Northern Utah. During the two months of the year it isn’t snowing, she enjoys swimming, biking, running, and water-skiing.

#BookBlast Giveaway

Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
$50 Gift Card to Running Chics
Ends 1/31/12
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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As we head into the New Year, I’m thinking of ways to help keep those I love healthy. 
Omega-3 fats are important for children, teens and all of us for so many reasons.   There have been many studies connecting adequate omega-3 fats (easily found in fish oil capsules) with increased learning ability, sharpness and focus. Omega-3’s are part of every cell in the body, including the brain. They help with attention, memory and a balanced nervous system. I buy Nordic Naturals  supplements as I feel they are the purest and most effective. They take an incredible amount of care with their products.

As today’s children and teens become our future, Nordic Naturals wants to be there with them, helping them achieve. They want to challenge tomorrow’s young adults to discover what is most important to them, to inspire good and healthy changes and choices in others and to be an essential part of creating our future.

With their 2013 WHAT’S ESSENTIAL essay scholarship for new and returning college students, young adults can win $5,000 for school!

Applicants for the scholarship will answer the question : “What are the essential components of the education that your generation needs to make a positive impact on the world?”

The one who best answers in 1000-1500 words will receive $5000 towards their college education and a year’s supply of Nordic Naturals’ award-winning Omega-3 products. That’s pretty awesome.

Entries will be judged on communication and style. Academic merit and community service will also be taken into account. 

Students and parents can learn more at WhatsEssential.com and on Facebook.com/nordicnaturals . The competition will run from January 1st–March 31st 2013.

So here’s to a happy healthy New Year to all and to the future leaders, artists and inventors!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nordic Naturals, however all opinions expressed are my own. 

 These statements and products mentioned in the post have not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any diseases.

Welcome to the LUCKY ’13 New Years Giveaway Hop hosted by BloggerPR! In order to kickoff 2013 with a BANG, BloggerPR decided to organize an event to celebrate the new year with some amazing prizes! Each of our participating bloggers is giving away a prize valued at $20 or more. This event will run from December 29th until January 12th, which gives you plenty of time to hop down the linky list below. Good Luck & Happy New Year!

With the cold weather approaching and cold and flu season starting, I have a prize that I hope will keep you warm and cozy. It can also work for cooling if that is what you prefer or need. I am giving away an adorable Thermal-Aid Bear which is wonderful for kids of all ages and also a Thermal-Aid Medium Sectional Heating and Cooling Pack.

The Medium Sectional is designed to relieve pain all over the body. It wraps around parts of the body offering more coverage. The Medium Sectional is best used for larger parts of the body like the shoulder, hip, back and much more.
The Medium Sectional is made from all natural ingredients and is the only green heating and cooling pack that you can clean with soap and water and it won’t form mold or fungi.

I really love this as I have fibromyalgia and lower back pain. You can wrap it completely around the area that hurts and it has a bit of weight to it – not heavy, it just feels very soothing. You can also use it for cooling and to help reduce inflammation. For heating, it only takes about a minute or so in the microwave.

The Thermal-Aid Bears are specifically designed to have all the effective qualities of the adult packs but in a child friendly form. These cute bears make it easier to treat children when they need hot or cold therapeutic treatment. The bears are heated and cooled in the freezer and microwave just like the other products and they are 100% natural and washable.

Again, just pop him in the microwave for about a minute and he becomes a cozy soothing friend. Or, pop him in the
freezer for 4 hours if you need him for cooling.

They also have an awesome new Zoo Collection of animals that are all so cute.

Both can be used to help arthritis, fibromyalgia, back/neck, menstrual cramps, carpal tunnel, headaches/migraines, fever & stomach aches.

There will be 2 winners!  One for the Bear and one for the Medium Sectional.  You can put in your comments if you’d like to enter for one or the other or for either one (i.e. you would like to enter for both).

This giveaway is open to the US and Canada.

Just follow the Rafflecopter below and Happy New Year everyone!

Disclosure: I was provided samples to facilitate a review/giveaway but all opinions expressed are my own. 

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 I got some gorgeous Flowers For Christmas this year. For me, there’s nothing quite like the feeling when you open the door to a surprise stunning bouquet. I know that they don’t last forever. I know that they are ephemeral and fleeting like the first snow of winter, yet I adore them!

This Christmas Cheer bouquet came in a beautiful vase with white roses, red roses, red mini carnations, baby’s breath, and silver ornaments along with delicious smelling greens.  I put them on the dining room table and every time someone would walk by they would get the most delicious smell of eucalyptus and pine. All I can say is that it was a little touch of Christmas every day.

Flowers are something I never ever tire of. Especially in Winter. They always make me smile.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.