It’s very close to holiday time and many of us are shopping online. I know that I love all the Cybermonday sales!

These days so much of our lives is online: transactions, purchases, money transfers, banking, bill paying and more. So much of our personal information is shared. I worry about this because I have had my account hacked on auction sites as well as people using my credit card number (while I had the card) to purchase hunting knives in Alaska. And, imagine that awful feeling when you get home and realize you don’t have your wallet with everything in it including your license.

Some of my friends have had all their information stolen from their license number to all their credit cards. Identity theft is scary and an incredible hassle!

As part of my organization initiative (yes, I’ve started one out of necessity), and my desire to have peace of mind, I am happy to be signed up with Lifelock. LifeLock is the leader in the world of identity theft protection and information, providing customers with top of the line identity theft protection with services backed by state-of-the-art technology.

LifeLock provides extremely useful information on all aspects of identity theft and threats to help in its prevention. I was surprised at how much protection they offer and how many tips they have that I’d never even considered. Also, I was surprised at how easy it was to sign up, took me only a few minutes, and I am now inputting all my data so it can be safeguarded.

 I believe the price to be very reasonable for what is offered and there is no doubt in my mind that I will sleep better at night, which of course is priceless.

 To get you ready for the holiday season, Lifelock is offering one lucky reader of Strange Daze Indeed a full year’s membership to their service.

Your LifeLock membership will include:

• Alerts of potential threats–both credit and noncredit related 
• Online access to a personalized dashboard showing current threats
• Relentless monitoring for exposure of your personal information 
• Member services with local phone support—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 
• Stolen or lost wallet remediation services to help cancel and replace credit and debit cards
• Comprehensive recovery services if you become a victim of identity theft on our watch. 

So, if you’d love a membership and some peace of mind, please enter to win via Rafflecopter below or sign up with Lifelock now. Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided a membership to facilitate this review however all opinions are strictly my own.

iPad Mini Holiday Event

Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, BLOGGERS WANTED

This looks to be a great holiday event. If you sign up, please mention that Strange Daze Indeed referred you. Thanks!

Secrets of the Red Box
Bonnie has secrets to keep – secrets with the potential to destroy lives, including her own. Running from her destructive and pain filled past, she recreates herself, believing she has escaped the damning evidence hidden in the red box. When her former life is revealed by a cruel twist of fate, Bonnie faces losing everything, including Glen, the only man she’s ever loved. But is Bonnie the woman he thinks she is? Set against the backdrop of the 1940s, Secrets of the Red Box is filled with intrigue and suspense – sure to keep you guessing to the very end!

Author Vickie Hall

Vickie is a native of Utah, but growing up, lived in the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska. When she’s not writing, she’s composing music, or shopping with her sister. She loves animals of all kinds and camping with her family. Her favorite pastime is watching old movies on TCM, and unashamedly has a crush on Cary Grant.

Praise for Secrets of the Red Box:

Amazing book! Wow, it caught me from the first paragraph. What detail, mystery and suspense. Loved the main character, Bonnie, so relatable. Vicki is an amazing writer. I wish she would write more books!!!
~Amazon Review

Secrets of the Red Box is a great read! Whether you’re looking for a book with an intriguing and unusual plot, or a story of how life’s choices effect the rest of your life, you will love this book!
~Amazon Review

Blog Tour:
Be sure to check out the blog tour for the chance to win an additional $25 Gift Card.

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Tour Schedule

Book Blast Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 PayPal Cash from Author Vickie Hall
Ends 11/25/12
*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it for the first person you follow and leave the others blank.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open to anyone 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’s permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

It seems to me time has been flying and it’s almost time to “fall back” and change our clocks back from Daylight Saving Time. This year the time change is official on November 4 at 2 am.

This also marks the 25^th anniversary of the annual Change Your Clock Change Your Battery^® program which I very strongly believe in and encourage! 

Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are once again working with local fire departments nationwide to raise awareness on the importance of working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in helping to keep families safe in their homes.  

Did you know that:

Cal Ripken Jr. helping neighborhood fire officials in Chicago distribute Family Safety Kits

Energizer is honoring its 25^th year by donating 250,000 batteries to fire departments across the country to distribute to local families in their areas and adopting 25 fire departments in 25 cities across the nation, who, in addition to batteries, will be equipped with a variety of Energizer_® family safety products for their department and to share in their communities. Together, they will host Home Safety Days and neighborhood canvasses spanning throughout National Fire Prevention Month in October until the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, Nov. 4. 

Win a Family Safety Kit from Energizer on Facebook!

Now, through the end of the day November 4, visit the Energizer Bunny^® Facebook page and click on the Fire Safety Info Tab.  Here you will have the chance to enter a sweepstakes to win a Family Safety Kit. In addition you can find fire safety tips, a home escape plan that you can download and draw your family’s home escape plan, as well as a coloring and activity sheet.

Win your very own Family Safety Kit from Energizer right here also!

Energizer is also offering one lucky Strange Daze Indeed reader a Family Safety Kit complete with a reusable grocery tote containing:

·         One 2-pack of Energizer_® MAX_® Batteries (9v) with Power Seal Technology – Dependable, powerful performance for the devices that help keep your family safe; now hold their charge when stored for up to 5 years 

·         One Energizer_® Flameless Wax Candle – Enjoy the realistic flicker of a scented wax candle without the worry of open flame or hassle of soot and dripping wax

·         One Energizer_® Weatheready^® Safety Light – Waterproof flashlight powered by AA, AAA or C cell batteries; includes safety whistle and imprinted preparedness checklist

·         One Kidde Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm

The total value of the Family Safety Kit is approximately $78. 

Just follow the Rafflecopter below and best of luck!


Energizer would love you to start a new tradition in your home. Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you set your clocks back – keep your family safe!



*Statistics provided by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided a Family Safety Kit however all opinions and thoughts expressed are strictly my own. 

Corktown

The Doctor Is Back!
 In the quiet Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, a mutilated body has the residents nervous and for good reason. Detroit Metro Police recognize the handiwork of the serial killer known as the Doctor.

But there’s a problem with that. They locked him up seven years ago. Because of her expertise with serial killers, former hotshot detective and now FBI agent, Abby Kane, is tasked with figuring out how this madman is able to kill again. When she visits The Doctor behind bars, he swears he’s innocent and not the psychopath everyone thinks he is.

Oddly enough, Abby believes him. Corktown dives headfirst into the grit of Detroit, exposing the government corruption and deadly violence that
has haunted the city for decades.

 About Ty Hutchinson

 Hello. My name is Ty Hutchinson and I’m from Hawaii. What does that mean? I don’t need to tan. I’m the author of the best selling Darby Stansfield novels. Readers have described them as Tarantino meets The Office with a splash of romance. Let me know if you agree. My latest release is Corktown, the first book in my new Abby Kane series. I’m very excited about it.

Before this whole author thing came up, I spent twenty-two years in advertising writing stuff that irritates you. I’ve stopped that. When I’m not writing thrillers, you’ll find me traveling the world, playing video games, eating and reading, or watching HGTV. Yup, me likey the HGTV. Don’t hate.  

Follow The AuthorBlog | Facebook | Twitter

The author will be giving away a $50 Amazon gift card, 5 autographed paperback books plus extra swag goodies, and 5 ebooks Fill out the form to enter. Open INT for digital or US/ Can for print books and swag a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photo Credit: @Lifeonprint Cindy Hickman

Fall is here and I’ve been enjoying watching the changing New England foliage, getting out the warm sweaters and boots and planning for Thanksgiving. One of my favorite ways to make our house feel more homey is having seasonal candles. I love the beautiful colors and shapes and scents. I love the warm glow and the way they can create a certain mood. They are also beautiful for entertaining.

Cinnamon Stick Orange Candles

Crafted Candles has a great selection and reasonable prices. I found this Cinnamon Stick Orange Candle and it reminded me of the pomanders we used to make in school when I was young. I think the shape is very decorative and novel and I love the smell of orange and cinnamon! It’s in my favorite tea.

Harvest Leaves

I also love this Harvest leaves Beeswax Pillar Candle whch will last up to 12 hours. I really like how candles are both decorative and utilitarian.

Red Oak Leaf

I also love the Red Oak Leaf Floating Candles set. Hand dipped and hand painted in food grade wax, these can be used on your serving table or at place settings. They’re almost too pretty for me to light so I’d probably keep an extra set around.

Holly Spiral Beeswax Taper

I haven’t finished a lot of my Christmas shopping yet (shhh!), but I am looking at these Holly Spiral Beeswax Taper Candles.  The Holly Beeswax Taper Candle is available in two designs: Ivory with Red and Green holly, and Ivory with Gold and Silver holly.

And then, for fun, I love the Marshmallow Snowmen! I really love Christmas candles and Crafted Candles has a great selection. I got lost for quite a while browsing. 

Marshmallow Snowmen

These Fall and Winter candles make me dream of spiced cider, hot chocolate and reading a book by the fireplace. I think that candles make a great gift. They really enhance the season.

New Facebook fans can get an exclusive discount code for Crafted Candles here.

Would you like to get a start on Holiday Candle Shopping? One lucky winner will receive $100 in credit to spend to their heart’s delight at Crafted Candles (this can be applied to shipping as well).

This giveaway is open to those 18+ in the US and Canada. Please follow the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Crafted Candles and powered by Couponista Queen.

I love to travel though I haven’t done as much of it lately as I’d like. I think when you’re younger, sometimes it’s easier to just take off. At least, it was for me. After I graduated college, my then boyfriend and I bought Eurailpasses and took off for Paris. We took the train and explored Geneva, Vienna, Florence, Venice and Rome and then hopped a boat to take us to Greece. We loved Athens and the Islands and I have since returned to Greece as it was magnificent in so many ways.

Gogobot

One place that I feel I didn’t spend enough time in was Paris. The city has so much to offer and I know I missed a lot. I recently heard about a new social site for travelers called Gogobot. They already have some wonderful accolades including being named one of Time’s top sites of 2011 and winner of the 2010 Crunchie award for Best Design. I can see why.

What I love most about Gogobot is the wonderfully personal information you can find there. When I was travelling, one thing I remembered most was the smaller places you’d find along the way for the perfect gelato or espresso or a hotel that really catered to its customers. During our journey, my boyfriend and I would get into a conversation with either local folks or fellow travellers and some of their recommendations helped us to really enjoy our time.

I have decided that I am going to go back to Paris and I’m definitely using Gogobot to help plan my trip this time. I love the personal touch it offers and the chance to ask questions pertaining to your interests!

I would love to stay at the Hotel Plaza Athenee because it is recommended as one of the most romantic hotels. Luxurious and with a wonderful location, it is near so many wonderful landmarks, stores, and restaurants. Who could miss a trip down the nearby Champs Elysees? Here it is with its stunning courtyard.

For some new foods I found out from Gogobot users that Ladurée is possibly the best ‘macaroon’ shop in Paris and that Angelina has outstanding hot chocolate.

Also, for amazing French style entrecôte with salad and potatoes (steak and fries) I’ll be checking out Le Relais de l’Entrecote, a classic! 

 For nightlife, I’m adding The Buddha Bar to my itinerary which is also a restaurant.

And for day trips, the Musee d’Orsay with lots of paintings by Van Gogh and the other Impressionists. I also hope to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and enjoy the view.

After a busy day of sightseeing and shopping, it will be great to visit Le Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris’ second largest public park. The gardens and sculptures are said to be breathtaking. I imagine relaxing on one of the benches with my baguette and brie and watching the world go by.

There is such a plethora of wonderful recommendations at Gogobot that it is really fun to browse and plan and daydream there! You can even check out locations not too far from where you live and find new places to visit!

Gogobot allows you to tap into the knowledge of your friends when planning a trip anywhere. You can find like-minded travelers and inspiration for your next vacation, creating easy-to-use wishlists you can return to again and again.

And when you are not in vacation mode or planning a trip, you can discover hidden gems in your own neighborhood for entertaining guests or a weekend staycation.

The best part? Every page on Gogobot is personalized. You can see reviews from your friends and people you are following at the top, which allows you to weed out the noise and fraudulent reviews that become a problem on other review sites. Check out Gogobot today!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gogobot. The opinions and text are all mine.