May 2013 | Miki's Hope

Large Companies and Contributions to Charity for YOUR Purchase

Friday, May 31, 2013



This is something that has bothered me for quite a while now. And I am beginning to notice it more and more. Large companies that get us to buy something in order for them to give to a charity or cause. I can understand it when the little independent reps do it—they do not have extra money to just give away and they will not be able to take it off their income taxes in all probability. The large companies (I will not mention any names here but I am sure you all know who they are) not only are assuring themselves of increased sales and get the donation as a tax write off, but in my opinion are actually taking advantage of the consumer. These companies can well afford to just give to these causes without us pitching in!! Not all of them do it—granted these are smaller companies-but all they do is mention that part of their profits is given to one cause or another. I have much more respect for these companies and will buy from them if I happen to have the extra funds. I also donate directly to charities if I have the extra funds.

I wonder what would happen if instead of buying the products “for charity” we sent the amount to the charity itself that we would have spent on a product that we might not have purchased anyway. Would these large companies still give? I’d like to think so, but somehow I doubt it. This seems to be a big advertising plan on their part.

Have you ever wondered about this? I’d love to hear your opinion.






All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Judging a Book by its Cover: Reflections on the Cassie Scot Cover

Thursday, May 30, 2013

I would like to thank Christine Amsden, the author of Cassie Scott, Paranormal Detective for writing such a lovely guest post for my readers! My review of this book will go live on 6/6/2013---I really loved this book as you will read and just know that all of you will love it as well. And yes, I DO love the cover!!!




Whether they should be or not, books are judged by their covers. Cover artwork is the first and most prominent representation of a book and as we all know, a picture is worth a thousand words. (It's a cliché for a reason!) As an avid reader I understand the reality. As an author I confess that it feels weird to have my art (the story itself) judged by someone else's art (a cover picture).

Let me start by saying that I don't create my own covers. Most authors don't. Most of us have little control over them, although I'm happy to say that my publisher gives me more input than usual.

The cover art for Cassie Scot was painted by Ural Akyuz. Wait, painted? Yes, that's right. If this cover strikes you as a bit different from other urban fantasy novels then that's probably because the popular trend these days is for photo manipulation. This style does create striking, vivid, even beautiful images, but I confess that I've got a soft spot for handcrafted art. Photographs are almost too perfect. Paintings leave me with a sense of the abstract. This seems particularly fitting since the title, with the “para” in “paranormal” struck through, is also abstract.

I really like the cover for this book. I didn't care for the cover for my last book, The Immortality Virus, so this is something of a relief! It has also been something of a relief that the response to the cover artwork from the public has been generally positive. I've seen one naysayer (that doesn't mean there aren't more) who thought the cover looks dull compared to others in the same genre. Well, like I said, we didn't do the photo manipulation for this project. If you're in love with that style, this may seem a little dull. I prefer to think of it as different, but to each his own. :)

In case the picture isn't giving you a thousand words, here are a few hundred more to help fill in the details for you:

The woman on the cover is Cassie, more or less as I envisioned her when I wrote her. I even provided the artist with a link to a picture of the outfit she is wearing, though he adjusted the color to better suit the background. She’s looking off into the distance, thinking of… well, any number of things. This series is written in the first person, and a lot of it takes place inside Cassie’s head. There is a mystery, some romance, and even a bit of action, but her own desire to be something more than she is drives the story. It will drive the entire series, actually, only resolving in the final volume.

There is a glow coming from the lake, one the crescent moon can’t fully account for. This is an abstract, a representation of a source of magic that Cassie can’t see and is therefore not looking at, though she knows it’s there somewhere. It is intentionally subtle, and I don’t expect readers to pick up on it. It’s enough that I know it’s there, and if you care to buy into it, then so do you.

Mostly though what I asked for, and what I got, was lovely cover art. There is some darkness in this story, but it is full of light, life, and hope. The leaves are green, the plants are in bloom, and Cassie has a snapdragon tucked behind her ear.

The body of water in the background is Table Rock Lake, a man-made lake that stretches for many miles through southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. The story takes place in a fictionalized town called Eagle Rock, MO, a tourist town on Table Rock Lake in the Ozark Mountains.

There is a real Eagle Rock, by the way. An old friend of my grandfather’s used to live there years ago, and my family visited him when I was a child. He would take us out on the lake on his motor boat. I can’t remember exactly what made me think to use the town’s name and location for this story, but I assure you, it is fictionalized. The real Eagle Rock has a population of 1 or 2 dozen people, and if you blink driving through, you’ll miss it. It was a beautiful area, though, and going with the advice “write what you know,” I decided it would suit this story nicely.

Ural Akyutz should be available to do the artwork for the rest of the series, which will give the books a consistent look and feel. I was nervous while waiting for the cover artwork for this book – more anxious nervous than excited nervous because of the experience I'd had with The Immortality Virus. Now as I anticipate the cover artwork for Secrets and Lies, the second book in the Cassie Scot series, I am excited anxious.

It still feels weird to have my story judged by Ural's artwork, but I stand behind it. I've used the cover artwork on facebook, twitter, google+, and have it printed on the bookmarks I hand out to readers I meet in person.

Whether the cover is to your taste or not, I hope you'll consider judging my book by its first couple of chapters. That is unapologetically mine – my voice, my style, my character. I have a prominent link to them on my web site or you can find them here: First Chapters.




And the Winner of Sea Glass Island by Sherryl Woods is....

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

This contest is officially over. Thank you all for your comments! There were 81 comments-the number picked as the winner of a copy of the book Sea Glass Island by Sherryl Woods at Random.org is # 63

Patricia Zyska-Pickett said... 63

I have never read any of Sherryl Woods books, but they sound good!

May 15, 2013 at 2:20 PM

Congratulations Patricia! I know you are going to love this book and want to read more of Sherryl Woods books! All you have to do now is respond to the email I am about to send you with your full name and mailing address and I will forward to the publicist so that they can mail the book to you directly!





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the Winner of the $25 PP in the No Strings Attached Contest is....

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

This contest is officially over! Thank you for all the comments!! Out of 349 comments the number picked at Random.org was #174!

Kristall said... 174

Tkx!
Paula

May 22, 2013 at 3:37 PM

Congratulations Paula!! You win the $25.00 in the $25.00 No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop here at Miki's Hope!! Now all you have to do is reply to the email I will be sending you in just a few minutes with your name and paypal email and I will send the money to you.





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Are You Addicted to FaceBook Games?


I never thought I would say this—but I am thoroughly, positively addicted to at least 2 of the many FaceBook games out there—Words With Friends and BeJeweled Blitz. The others I have tried are okay and I will sometimes go in and attempt to play them (mostly the card type games like Pyramid Solitare)-but simply refuse to throw any money into them-any of them including the games I play consistently.

I have always loved Scrabble and that is essentially what Words with Friends is. The upside is that you do not have to keep playing until the game is finished—you put in your word and then leave—come back a few hours later and see if any of the people you are currently playing with have entered any words-in which case it is your turn again!

BeJeweled Blitz can keep me occupied for an hour or more or until my arm starts aching (I did something to my rotator cuff). This game got me in BIG trouble a couple of years back on a different platform! I won and I lost and suddenly at the end of the year I was sent a 1099. Luckily I was able to find what my losses were so owed no taxes!! Of course back then I was busy entering contests and playing against others-Now I play solo!!

Do you have any Face Book games that you can’t seem to stay away from?






All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Father's Day GA-Blox Gift Set-US OnlyEnds 6/9

Monday, May 27, 2013

Miki's Hope is excited to be a part of this Father's Day Giveaway Event!


Are you looking for the perfect Father's Day gift with a personalized touch? Boy do we have an idea for you!

Families are Forever


The great thing about Magnetic Blox is that you can arrange them any way you would like. family Blox


Magnetic Blox are a new way of decorating your walls – scrapbooking meets home décor! Great for homeowners; but also fantastic for apartment renters and dorm residents, where holes in walls are a no-no. Simply paint a portion of a wall with paint infused with the BloxShop.com additive, easy to follow directions are on the label, and place the Blox on your wall


· No broken glass from picture frames!

· No holes from nails and hammers!

· Need a new look? Move the Blox around!


Blox are easy to create – just upload an image and BloxShop.com will take care of the rest. When they arrive at your doorstep you will find them fun to play with and a little addictive!


Here is a short video clip for you to watch:




Want to order your Blox Gift Set to arrive before Father's Day? CLICK HERE and place your order NOW!

Blox Giveaway!


FathersDayGrouping copy

One lucky reader will win:

The new Father’s Day collection celebrating the relationships of dads and their families. The collection includes:

(2) 4” x 4” photo Blox*

(3) 4” x 4” art/word Blox

(2) 2” x 2” Photo Blox*

(2) 2x2 art Blox

In addition to the Father’s Day Collection, the winner will receive Paint additive to cover 5’ x 7’ area and complimentary shipping. *Winner will need to upload images to BloxShop.com.


Giveaway Details:


  • This Giveaway will run from May 26th-June 9th
  • Is opened to US residents 18 years of age and older
  • All entries must be in the entry form
  • See all disclosures in the entry form.


⇩⇩⇩⇩⇩⇩Enter below ⇩⇩⇩⇩⇩⇩



*Disclosure - This giveaway is brought to you by Adventures of My Family of 8 and is sponsored by BlokHaus Magnetics. The prize will be supplied via sponsor. Miki's Hope has received an entry in this giveaway in return for promotions. We abide by all FTC regulations. All views and opinions are honest and our own.




Do You Have a Favorite Author?



As anyone who reads, enters giveaways on or even glances at my blog know I love to read—I love books. It is rare that I can not find something about a book that I do not like—I kind of stop at porn and really steamy novels—just can’t get into them! Not too fond of self help books but will read and review them if the topic interests me, non-fiction is also not one of my preferred genres. Give me an historical romance, mystery, thriller –add in some time travel and magic or foreign countries and I’m in readers heaven! But—to pin me down to just one or two favorite authors? No can do-and with all the new authors I’ve been reading lately—impossible!!

There are a few that I literally run out to BUY their newest release (unless I am lucky enough to get one to review!)-so who are they you ask—these are not in any particular order. And there are certainly more who I would love to read more of—time permitting!

Jane Feather

James Patterson

Stephanie Laurens

Teresa Medeiros

Sherryl Woods

Maya Banks


So there you have it—the short list of my personal favorites—Do you have a favorite author/authors that you can not resist buying—let me know—I am really interested-maybe I will find one of your favorites that will become one of mine!






All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the Winner of the 2 Chick-fil-A Coupons at Miki's Hope is...

Friday, May 24, 2013

This contest is officially over--Thank you everyone for entering. There were 79 total entries--the number picked as the winner at Random.org is #57

Jessamine Dungo said... 57

I scored an 8 and is a so-so starter :)

May 16, 2013 at 10:00 PM

Congratulations Jessamine! You just won 2 coupons for the new Chick-fil-A salads! All, you have to do, quickly this time, is reply to the email I am about to send you with your full name and mailing address so that I can contact the sponsor and they will send you the coupons!


All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Walden Family Theater- Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway - Ends 6/14

Thursday, May 23, 2013

This contest is officially over! I hope you all had some fun! I just put another one like this up--Just got back from Random.org and the winner is...

momo said... 32

June S.
June 2, 2013 at 3:19 PM

Congratulations June!! You are the winner of the Walden Family Theater- Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack Giveaway! All you have to do now is reply to the email I will be sending in just a few minutes with your full name and mailing address. Please do it quickly this time as there is a deadline for me to get it to the people who will be sending it to you!


Walden Family Theater is proud to announce the Space Warriors Blog App & a chance to Win a Family Trip to Space Camp!


Watch Space Warriors on Hallmark Channel May 31st at 8/7C for your chance to win a trip for the whole family to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp! Keep an eye out for the secret keyword for a chance to go on location where Space Warriors was filmed and train like a real astronaut! Additionally one lucky winner will win a Space Warriors Blu-ray Combo Pack (- Space Warriors (Blu-ray + DVD + VUDU Digital Copy) (Walmart Exclusive) at Miki's Hope-see below for contest entry!

About Space Warriors:

Six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As the competition heats up, the kids have no idea that their ultimate challenge will be to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches.

Starring: Thomas Horn, Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Mira Sorvino and Booboo Stewart.

Space Warriors is the second film in the Walden Family Theater original lineup featuring great family entertainment, airing Friday nights exclusively on Hallmark Channel. Walden Family Theater is creating films for the whole family to enjoy together, so make sure to mark your calendars and gather around the television to watch all the great upcoming films!

Past films include: "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, "Holes", "Nim's Island", "Charlotte's Web", and "Return to Nim's Island."

Official Space Warriors Website: http://spacewarriorsmovie.com/
Official Space Warriors Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutxR0D4FxY



For a chance to win this Combo Pack at Miki's Hope: (The prize will be sent via FedEx or UPS directly from Walden Family Theater who is the sponsor of this giveaway) No P.O. Boxes please)

Mandatory: In a comment put your name and email address

Extra: Post your results from the How Spacey Are You? QUIZ.
Share your favorite activity from the Prepare for Blast-off Space Warriors Viewing Guide!

And what ever you do don't forget to watch on May 31st to get the keyword to enter for a chance to win the trip!!













I received and will receive nothing for promoting this giveaway! For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review- Espionage Thriller- Parallax View – Allan Leverone

I could not put this book down—I literally finished it in one sitting!! This is an action packed espionage thriller which takes place just before the fall of the Soviet Socialist Republic. The KGB faction in Russia wants to have the President of the United States (Ronald Reagan) assassinated in order to keep the Soviet Republic from going under. Gorbachev (head of the Russian government) decides to send a clandestine message to the President telling him of the plot. Gorbachev finds an underling he trusts and the story really begins. The letter does make it into the hands of Tracie Tanner, a CIA special Ops agent and she proceeds to take the sealed letter back to the United States to deliver to the President. Unfortunately, the KGB gets wind of this and are out to get that letter BEFORE it is delivered, whether Tracie lives or not is not a consideration! She meets up with a young air traffic controller from Maine-------Please read this book!! You will definitely not regret it!!

From the back of the book:

It’s 1987, late in the cold War, and sexy CIA operative is tasked with delivering a Top Secret communique to the White House. But a shadowy cabal with tentacles reaching deep into the U.S. government will stop at nothing to prevent that delivery.

Soon, Tracie is cut off from support and on the run from assassins, paired with a young Maine air traffic controller, both determined to see the mission through to the end, regardless of the consequences.

About the Author:

Allan Leverone is a 2012 Derringer Award winner and the author of five novels, including the Amazon Top 25 best selling thriller, The Lonely Mile. He lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with his wife and family and a cat who has used up eight lives.

Find out more about Allen Leverone and his books: www.allanleverone.com

This book can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and whereever fine books are sold!







I received a PB edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

I’m Really Kind of Upset

Wednesday, May 22, 2013


This whole thing that happened to me with Google (them dropping me (Mikishope.com) from a PR 3 to a PR 0 in a matter of hours) has really gotten me very depressed. One place that I write for actually told me to take off a link which means I won’t get paid for that post. As you all know I lost my 3 day a week job back in December and haven’t been able to replace it, I had to go on early social security and was hoping to be able to make a little extra from writing and putting up guest posts. I do not charge like some of the bloggers—far from it. I had been putting do follow links in most of my posts, at the request or demand of the people who wanted the post. Now that I can no longer do that-I expect I won’t be asked as much (if and when Google raises me up again). I have changed every post on my blog to no follow, even the ones I am not paid for and there are a lot of them, and resubmitted to Google for re evaluation. I also think that the people who pay for posts should be educated! I was a PR 3 when I wrote the post---just because Google decided to change it-does that make me any worse a writer or do they think that visitors really come from search engines? Well, mine doesn’t—according to analytics almost none of my visitors are brought there from search engines! And I am still getting the same amount of visitors a day! I work very hard to get my name and blog out there. I do not use any of the automated tools to schedule tweets etc-I actually do it all by hand. The only automation comes from Blogger itself-when I write a post it automatically goes to my FB and Twitter and email and RSS ONCE—if that post is seen again—I did it manually! I keep telling myself that things will get better and if anything Google is going to be re evaluating sometime in June—I sure hope they do mine before then!



All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Spotlight - Dancing in the Flame - Ann Gimpel

Tuesday, May 21, 2013



About Dancing in the Flame:


Life in a were bordello is all Keira has ever known. Because of her mixed blood, none of the magicians’ guilds want her, or protested when the Weres bound her as an indentured hooker. Mired in the hopelessness of her dreams, Keira longs for more.

Barrett, one of the Daoine Sidhe, runs a magician supply shop in what’s left of Seattle. No one is more surprised than he when the Sidhe leader commands him to extricate Keira from the weres.

Magic and intrigue throw Keira and Barrett into one another’s arms. Convinced they have a job to do, they struggle against the heat of the passion between them. Until it gets way too hot to handle.

Visit the tour page at Pump Up Your Book

Purchase your copy of Dancing in the Flame at AMAZON (COMING SOON)

About the Author:


Ann Gimpel is a clinical psychologist, with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Several paranormal romance novellas are available in e-format. Three novels, Psyche’s Prophecy, Psyche’s Search, and Psyche's Promise are small press publications available in e-format and paperback. Look for two more urban fantasy novels coming this summer and fall: Fortune’s Scion and Earth’s Requiem.

A husband, grown children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out her family.

Her latest books are Magic’s Daughter & Dancing in the Flame.

Visit her website at www.anngimpel.com




I did not receive a book or any other form of compensation for this post. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review - The Spellcaster’s Grimoire – Mark All


When I first received this book and I read the back cover I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book. Was I ever surprised!! Comical in some respects I found myself smiling as Trish works her way into realizing that she actually does have powers! And as for Rain, the novice—I absolutely loved her character. Of course there is a warlock in here too, Aiden, who is a powerful warlock who doesn’t want to use his powers but has to to save the threesome from the out of control witch Kate! You know there has to be a romantic connection here somewhere-and there is!! There is also a powerful reminder that there are other ways to settle a major dispute then murder!! Yes, I give this book a 5 star rating!!

From the back of the book:


Bestselling witchcraft author Trish Sinclair has a shameful secret: she’s a lousy spellcaster, and the spells in her books belong to others. So when a dying warlock entrusts her with an ancient and powerful grimoire, she runs for her life from his murderer, psychotic witch Kate Cavanaugh. Kate pursues Trish relentlessly to obtain the grimoire, which holds spells to command the fearsome power of a magic crystal hidden in town—and Kate is determined to have that power.

When the town coven refuses to help Trish protect the grimoire, she is forced to turn to cynical warlock Aidan McCarthy, who has a secret agenda of his own, and Rain Devereaux, a novice witch whose spellcasting abilities are even worse then Trish’s. As Kate unleashes the elemental might of tornadoes and ice storms on the trio, they desperately struggle to defeat her.

But Kate is too powerful, and she manages to steal the grimoire and unearth the crystal. Trish knows Kate will use the stone’s power to exact her deadly revenge on Aiden and the town coven unless Trish can manifest her latent magical abilities to save them.

This book can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author:


Mark All is the author of paranormal thrillers The Spellcaster’s Grimoire and Mystic Witch, published by ImaJinn Books in trade paperback and eBook formats. He has won two international writing awards and contributed to Computer Legends, Lies & Lore.

Mark is a full-time author after a career as an instructional systems designer at a Fortune 16 company. Prior to his work in computer-based training, he held jobs ranging from gravedigger to FM radio announcer to professional rock guitarist.

You can visit Mark All’s website at www.MarkAllAuthor.com.



All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$25 PP-No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop-WW - Ends 5/27

Monday, May 20, 2013

This contest is officially over! Thank you for all the comments!! Out of 349 comments the number picked at Random.org was #174!

Kristall said... 174

Tkx!
Paula

May 22, 2013 at 3:37 PM

Congratulations Paula!! You win the $25.00 in the $25.00 No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop here at Miki's Hope!! Now all you have to do is reply to the email I will be sending you in just a few minutes with your name and paypal email and I will send the money to you.




Here I go again--Another of the No String Attached Hops hosted by I am a Reader Not a Writer where all you have to do is put your name and email in a comment for a chance to win $25.00 PayPal WW from Miki's Hope!! This is the last time I will be doing this for a while so come on in and enter! Then go down the list of other participants in this hop-entering does not get any easier then this!

Mandatory and ONLY entry needed: In a comment tell me your name and email address

Good Luck everyone!!






All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review-Magic’s Daughter (Paranormal Romance)– Ann Gimple-Ends 5/31

This book can definitely be read in one sitting, it is a paranormal romance novella and perhaps the start of a series. It did catch my attention and left me wondering what would happen to Cassie and Jeremy. Hopefully the author, Ann Gimple, will continue this fictional storyline about white and black magic and the forces of good and evil!

Blurb from the E-Book

Destined to be surrounded by magic yet have none of her own, Cassie walks a thin line between love and danger. Her mother is dying and her boyfriend has turned into something which terrifies her. By the time she wakes up to the danger she’s in, it’s nearly too late.

Cassie’s friend Jeremy warns her about her scumbag boyfriend, but she’s not listening until deeply disturbing events unfold and her life hangs in the balance. With few choices left, she and Jeremy join forces to battle the darkness threatening them. Meanwhile, Cassie warms to Jeremy in ways she never could have anticipated. Love was there all along if she’d just opened her eyes and looked.

For an excerpt Click here!

This book can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at the publishers website.

About Ann Gimpel

Ann Gimpel is a clinical psychologist, with a Jungian bent. Avocations include mountaineering, skiing, wilderness photography and, of course, writing. A lifelong aficionado of the unusual, she began writing speculative fiction a few years ago. Since then her short fiction has appeared in a number of webzines and anthologies. Several paranormal romance novellas are available in e-format. Three novels, Psyche’s Prophecy, Psyche’s Search, and Psyche’s Promise are small press publications available in e-format and paperback. Look for two more urban fantasy novels coming this summer and fall: Fortune’s Scion and Earth’s Requiem.
A husband, grown children, grandchildren and three wolf hybrids round out her family.

Various ways to Connect with Ann Gimple:

www.anngimpel.com
http://anngimpel.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/anngimpel
http://www.facebook.com/anngimpel.author
@AnnGimpel (for Twitter)


And watch for a book blast of another of Ann's books Dancing in the Flame which will appear like magic tomorrow-5/21!!





I received a PDF version of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Book Review - Narcotic Nation – Scarlett Savage

This book takes a unique view of something that has been thought about by many for quite a few years now. It takes place in the future and drugs have been legalized. The taxes which are levied have made America a much better place, maybe. Everyone has medical insurance, plenty of food and a roof over their heads. But—the government is acting like “BIG BROTHER” and is controlling virtually everything. Politicians are still causing trouble. And there are drug addicts dying like flies in alleyways.

Not everyone agrees with this drug policy and of course there is dissent. A bunch of friends who have a rock group win a competition and are overnight stars. How each of these kids reacts is totally believable. The biggest problem comes in because a couple of them totally agree with the drug policy while a couple of them vehemently do not. And one or two really do not think about it much at all. The complications that arise between the friends are not always predictable. This is the story of the rise and fall of this rock band and the depths to which people will fall to uphold their political beliefs.

From the back of the book:


It’s present day America, but in which all narcotics were legalized fifteen years ago with the advent of the Freedman Bill (the formal name for the Legalization). While there is finally plenty of money to pay police, teachers, firemen and other public workers, and no one in the country is without food, shelter or insurance, the government now utilizes methods designed to keep usage within a safe parameter…violating many Constitutional rights in the process. The country is torn by this decision. There are the Realists, who firmly feel that since drug use isn’t going away, that they should tax it, make it available and put those trillions towards improving the country and it’s citizens. The Idealists are convinced we are allowing our baser instincts to be used for the good of the politicians, and are fiercely fighting for the bill to be overturned.

In the midst of all this, rock band, Deus Ex Machina, having won an American idol type competition, executes it’s forst world tour. Roped into participating by his lead singer girlfriend, Raven, bassist and aspiring politico, Ashe Brecken is dismayed when his band actually wins on live television. But there’s a silver lining for him—he can use his new found celebrity toward a purpose. Working hand in hand with Stay Straight, the organization dedicated to overturning the Legalization, his dedication borders on zealotry. What he doesn’t know is there is a saboteur in the band…someone that supports the Legalization and the help it offers to sick and hungry children. After a public humiliation completely discredits him in the eyes of Stay Straight and the entire country, Ashe employs deadly designs to make his statement to the world. Turning to someone he’s long dispised to assist him in this dangerous effort, this longtime band of friends find themselves keeping treacherous secrets from each other while they’re in the midst of changing not only the nation, but the whole world.

But at what cost?

This book can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes and Nobel and wherever fine books are sold.


About the Author (from Amazon)

38-year-old Scarlett Savage is a multi-award-winning off-Broadway playwright. Her plays, “Dear Daddy, Love Cassie” and “My Sister Jake is Dying” have not only entertained, but raised awareness and funds for organizations such as RAINN and the Ronald MacDonald House. Her play, “I AM A GIRL!!”, (celebrating the fact that every woman who changed the world was once upon a time just a girl, just like they are now) was the 2008 Dramatic Presentation for the National Girl Scout Jamboree. Her play, “Not This Girl, Not This Day”, under the working title “Numbers” and under the direction of renowned, accomplished director Richard Rose not only sold out but outsold all of Theater Row during its extended run. In her twenties, Scarlett took a break from the theater to write the books “Narcotic Nation” and “The Madman’s Clay”; a return to the stage saw “Dear Daddy, Love Cassie” win several more awards and the birth of “She F*&king Hates Me: A Love Story”. While her plays ran on stages throughout New England, NYC and LA, Scarlett transposed “She F*&king Hates Me: A Love Story”, “Not This Girl, Not This Day”, into novels as well. She is currently writing the screenplays for “She F*&king Hates Me: A Love Story” and “Dear Daddy, Love Cassie” for Highland Films, and working on the sequel, “She F*&king Loves Me: A Wedding Story” as she preps “Not This Girl, Not This Day” for its LA debut at Hudson Theater. She is the mother of teen actress/ballet dancer Daphne Juliet Ellis, and advanced art student Jessica Juliet Savage, and lives with the love of her life, artist Mike Biggie



I received a PB copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

$25 PayPal-WW-May There Always Be Books-Ends 5/31

This contest is officially over! Thank you everyone who entered!! The winning number, as picked at Random.org out of 377 comments is #123

Ashley said... 123

Thanks for the great giveaway :)

Ashley C

May 21, 2013 at 9:57 PM

Congratulations Ashley!! You are the winner of the $25.00 PayPal (May There Always Be Books)!! All you have to do now is reply to the email I am about to send you within 48 hours with your PayPal email and I will send it to you!



This hop is hosted by Literary Addicts and is from May 20 at 12:00am – May 31 @11:59pm EST.

My favorite thing to do when I was a child was going to the library with my Mom and picking out books to read. I could literally stay there for hours and still not want to leave. I don't go to libraries much anymore but I still love reading and I love books-and I do read a lot-and truthfully I prefer holding a book in my hands, turning the pages, letting my imagination soar.
So when I heard about this hop--I knew I had to join in!! However, I am still not sure that the books I like are the books you like-so I decided to give away a $25.00 PayPal so that not only my American friends but all the people World Wide who visit me can enter and have a chance to win as well. You can choose the book you really want at the place you prefer to buy them.

I am going to keep this simple:

Mandatory: In a comment type in your name and email address

Extra: Follow me on GFC (to the right)
Follow me on Blog Lovin (RSS-to the right)
Follow my emails (up top)
Like the post
Tweet this post (once daily)

Now that you have entered on my giveaway-go visit all the other participants who will be giving away great prizes as well!!








All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the 12 Bags of Skinny Pop Popcorn is.....

Sunday, May 19, 2013

This contest is officially over! Out of 233 comments (Thank you everyone!) the number picked at Random.org is # 161

lilahshea said... 161

follow you on GFC - Pockets

May 14, 2013 at 7:27 PM

Congratulations!! And make space in your pantry for 12 bags of popcorn! I will be sending an email in just a few minutes-all you have to do is reply to that email within 48 hours with your full name and mailing address and I will forward it to the company who will be sending you the case of popcorn directly!!






All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

And the winner of the Everest Nutrition Krill Oil is.....

Saturday, May 18, 2013

This contest is officially over. The winner of the Krill Oil from Everest Nutrition out of 85 comments as picked at Random.org is number 66

Sandy VanHoey said... 66

https://twitter.com/sandyv1955/status/334313181520470019

May 14, 2013 at 10:24 AM

Congratulations Sandy! Now all you have to do is reply to the email I am going to send you in a few minutes with your full name and mailing address and I will forward that on to the company who will be sending it direct to you.


All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Eating Healthy-and Avoiding Diabetes!

Vegetables were a staple item on the menu when I was growing up. The foods my Mom prepared were generally well balanced and she tried to watch me like a hawk! As a very young child I was allergic to everything it seemed. I was allergic to chocolate and wheat. Back then it was not easy finding –but my Mom found spinach spaghetti. Of course once I was old enough and had outgrown most of my food allergies I spent many happy hours buying and eating candy, iced cream, cookies and other delicious foods which did not appear very often in our home! I continued on this way for much of my life-of course I went on about 1 million different diets all of which worked for 20 pounds—then the weight would come back plus some. Then came that fateful day when my car’s air conditioner decided to break down while I was sitting in traffic for 3 hours in a 101 degree day, I experienced extreme heat stroke—I lost 30 pounds within a month—and finally went to the doctor. Diabetes 2 was suddenly a reality in my life—with very high blood sugar numbers. Now understand—I am VERY stubborn—in this case it worked in my favor! I was able to get my blood sugar way down in one month and as of today—well-the doctor is almost saying I do not have diabetes anymore—and I have lost an additional 30 lbs!! So how did I do it—By changing my diet and EATING HEALTHY.


So what is eating healthy? I literally cut out anything with sugar or anything white for 2 entire months-I subsisted on Cherrios, salads and Wasa Bread, hamburger (90% fat free) and water. I also began to find foods that were safe for diabetics to eat. I watched those carbs like a hawk. Now that I am under control I still watch carbs and try to eat small portions WHEN I am hungry, drink lots of liquids (coffee, water w/sugar free flavorings), and since I am truly a carnivore-lots of protein in the form of beef . I will occasionally eat fish but I am not a big fan-except shellfish. Artificial crabmeat is a good substitute and actually tastes pretty good. I am still being careful how much fruit and what kind I eat since fruit is filled with sugar.

Lesson learned the hard way—do eat 4 small meals a day—do watch those carbs—do watch the amount of sugar and salt in foods—attempt to eat something in each of the major food groups each day (not necessarily all in the same meal). Drink Water and lots of it! If you cheat a little—do not beat yourself up—just get back on the bandwagon the next day!!





All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

I Hope I Can Get This Fixed!

Friday, May 17, 2013

Google sent me one of their letters today informing me there was something on my website that I had to correct---Penguin struck Miki's Hope!! Google took my PR from a 3 to a 0 in an hour--I have spent the majority of today making as many links as I could find no follow--even if I didn't get paid for them!! Hopefully I will get this resolved totally sometime tomorrow--I am just too tired to keep on going!! Just for the heck of it I am going to put my url on here and link it to see if it becomes no follow

Miki's Hope

Well, I had to put in the rel=nofollow but what is interesting for a second there blogger thought that there was a broken link!!

I think I will go to bed now-----------


All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

2 $25 Starbucks GC-Book Review-Grim-Joseph Spencer-Ends 6/28


Yikes-if you like books with lots of retribution, pretty gory ones at that you will absolutely love this book! One man is taken over by a devil or angel (you decide!) and avenges the deaths of innocent people. The town this fictional story takes place in is corrupt from the bottom to the top-except for one police officer. Will he succumb to the dark side and finally find revenge for the murder of his wife? You will just have to read this book and find out!

From the back of the book:


Who is the man behind the mask?

When everything is taken from him, Detective Adam White must choose what’s most important. Does he stick to the heroic ideals which made him a famed paragon of justice and take down a murderous madman? Or does he give in to his vigilante impulses, avenge his wife’s murder, and become the type of killer he’s hunted for so many years?


About the author:


As a boy, Joseph Spencer immersed himself in the deductive logic of Sherlock Holmes, the heroic crime fighting of Batman and Spider-Man, and a taste for the tragic with dramas from poets like Shakespeare and Homer.

Before Joseph took to spinning his own tales, he pursued a career in print sports journalism, graduating summa cum laude from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He covered such events as NASCAR’s Subway 500 race in Martinsville, the NBA Draft Camp in Chicago, the Junior College World Series, and Minor League Baseball’s Midwest League All-Star Game during a ten-year career throughout the Midwest. Now, he works as an emergency telecommunications specialist with an Illinois police department. The combination of years of writing experience with a background working with law enforcement professionals gave rise to his writing aspirations.

Joseph was married Dr. Amy (Waggoner) Spencer, an accomplished veterinary doctor, on March 14, 2012. He received word his debut novel was accepted by his publisher, Damnation Books, the next day. Joseph and Amy look forward to their honeymoon in Paris in September 2012. Murphy, a 15-year-old orange tabby, is perhaps the most vocal member of the family. The Spencer family enjoys reading Charlaine Harris, George R.R. Martin, Mary Janice Davidson, and most paranormal stories. The Spencers also enjoy quoting movie lines from “The Princess Bride”, “Rain Man”, “Bridesmaids”, and “Office Space”.

His latest book is the paranormal crime thriller, Grim.

Visit his website at www.josephbspencer.com.

This book can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Now on to the giveaway!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway








I received a PB copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.

Presentation is Everything

Thursday, May 16, 2013

A lot of us online are also selling items. We all know how great each and everyone of these items are and want everyone else to know as well! We are either independent representatives for companies or we make products ourselves. We spend hours advertising on all the social media, we go to shows, and some of us even have house parties! Some of us also send samples to prospective buyers. No matter what, first impressions usually stick, so whether you are setting up a table for a show or creating samples you really want the presentation to be great!!


There are various ways you can make even the smallest sample look enticing. Ribbons, bows, colorful wrapping paper, cello bags and custom gift bags and the like will garner attention. Colorful cello bags can be imprinted with your company name, logo, and even blog address and tied up with a pretty ribbon or tie. Always make sure to insert a business card into the bag! Cello bags come in various types so be careful when purchasing. If you are selling a type of food item for example and you want to send or give samples out you have to be certain that the bags you are using are FDA approved food quality.





 
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