February 2016 | Miki's Hope

$20 Amazon/PP-1-WW-Deep Fried and Pickled-(Book#1)-Paisley Ray-Ends 3/13

Monday, February 29, 2016


Anyone who went to college back when dorms (the ALL female) ones were locked down at 11 on weekends--even earlier on weekdays will find this book refreshingly reminiscent of times gone by. Those that were lucky enough to go when the dorms were co-ed--well you are in for a great story and both will get a couple of laughs. Following the 4 Freshman girls through their first year of mishaps, looking for love in mostly the wrong places, and needing to get fake ID because you had to be 21 in order to drink--and trying to find an art thief---all while trying to get your friends through lifes little mishaps and dealing with parents. The twists and turns are various and many.

I am definitely going to continue reading this series--hey I want to know what happens in their sophomore year!!



Paisley Ray books are not your typical fiction. A young woman's plan for an art history degree turns into an outrageous series of misadventures in this laugh-out-loud romp about a girl who enrolls in a southern college during the height of the crazy era that was the 1980’s. This collection crosses genres of chick lit, mystery, romance, humor, and action with the possibility of a corpse or two. To date there are 8 novels in this humorous romantic misadventure mystery series with book #9 due to release spring of 2016.

It’s ’86, the era of Pop Rocks, Jelly shoes, and big hair rock bands. Rachael O'Brien's freshman plan seems simple: Attend a southern college, earn a degree, party, and meet cute guys—hopefully acing the latter two.

But being threatened by a jealous She-Devil, avoiding the advances of a thirty-something redneck, and discovering an art fraud scheme thwart her “to do” list. On top of her troubles at school, Rachael finds herself forging a new relationship with her emotionally shaken father after Mom abandons the family to pursue a psychic calling.

Bad decision-making, law-bending behavior, and surprise romances make freshman year memorable in Paisley Ray’s DEEP FRIED AND PICKLED.



"I often get asked by readers what order THE RACHAEL O'BRIEN CHRONICLES books should be read in. Each book can be read without any prior knowledge of any of the others. That said, some readers do want to follow a chronological list of events in Rachael's southern fried, 80's college life antics so here it is"..... 
DEEP FRIED AND PICKLED 
SUMMER FLAMBÉ  
SHELLED AND SHUCKED 
TOAD IN THE HOLE 
JOHNNY CAKES 
SWAMP CABBAGE
PRAISE THE LARD 
HOT TAMALE -- New Release


Available to buy at....
or

See the full series on Amazon HERE


"Being a Southern girl and child of the 80s myself, I enjoyed the characters, the setting and the period references. Good plot without being too serious or watered down."



"This fun and quirky mystery was very nostalgic for me as I got to relive the eighties through Rachael."



"An entertaining read. Fresh new characters and some zany plot twists kept me reading late into the night."

Above reviews from Amazon



Also available in the series



About the Author

Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Paisley Ray, a steelworker's daughter spent summer breaks with relatives on the Carolina shores. It didn't take long for a love of southern to become rooted in her veins, and years later, yield the setting for her novels. Most days, Paisley can be found crafting the antics for the newest book in THE RACHAEL O'BRIEN CHRONICLES. 

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY
Win $20Amazon.com GC / Paypal Cash

(winners choice)

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Ending on Sunday 13th March at 11.59pm EST


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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.

$150 Sephora GC GA-1-Ends 3/31

Sunday, February 28, 2016

sephora giveaway event

Sephora $150 Gift Card Event


We are giving away $150 to Sephora!!!


One winner will win $150 to Spend at Sephora.



The cohosts and sponsors of this event are:


MyPoshMedia.com | Poshonabudget.com |Miki's Hope | TheSugarFreeDiva | DinedandDashed | Mel from FreebiesCodesCouponsAndDeals| PlusSizePosh| Becky Hanes | TheChocoholicsDiary

If I were handed $150 to spend at Sephora I would first head to the perfume department and pick up a bottle or two. Then I would head to the Bath & Body section and pick up some bath items--I absolutely love to soak in a hot bath surrounded by bubbles and a calming scent. I'd have to check out the eye make up department to see all the new colors and lets not forget the lipsticks--Oh yeah--I could definitely spend $150.00 at Sephora!

What would you do with $150 to Sephora?


You are welcome to enter this giveaway if you are able to shop at a Sephora.




Disclosure/Disclaimer: This site or any other site associated with this event has in no way been compensated for the preceding information. This giveaway is valid where allowed by law, open to anyone who is able to shop at this site mentioned in the giveaway and who is over 18 years of age. One winner will be randomly selected on 4/1 notified via email, and will have until 4/3 to reply. If there is no reply another winner will be randomly selected. Please use your real email address if you are serious about winning this. Winners are posted on the MyPoshMedia site and, not on the entry widget itself, unless the winner wishes otherwise. Thanks so much!


Do you want to add a prize to the giveaway to make it even better?
This is a great opportunity to market your business to hundreds of thousands of people if your item is valued at over $100.
Contact Ms Posh at Myposhmedia(dot)com








I received an entry in the giveaway form for helping to promote this giveaway. 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.

E-Book-Seaside Dreams-2-WW-Rev of Seaside Embrace-Melissa Foster-Ends 3/20

Friday, February 26, 2016


Sometimes it is the female who is afraid of relationships-Jana is one of them. She appears carefree and totally in control of herself and her life to the rest of the world--but is totally the opposite deep inside. Some hurts sustained don't heal. Hunter-one of the bigger playboys around is no better. When they end up together--sparks fly--and not only good ones. These two are like peas in a pod.

Hunter falls hard eventually--Jana does too but will not admit it. What Hunter goes through-well I ALMOST feel sorry for him. Will these two be able to connect on a deeper level and still remain friends (with definite benefits). You will have to read to find out. I do have to caution you that this one is HOT & STEAMY yet at the same time a sensitive story of two people who have to learn to heal themselves and each other.


SEASIDE SUMMERS BOOK #6

Voted Beck Valley Books Reviewers Favorite Mini Series from the Love in Bloom Series in 2014

Featuring a group of fun, sexy, and emotional friends who gather each summer at their Cape Cod cottages. They're funny, flawed, and will have you begging to enter their circle of friends. You met them in READ, WRITE, LOVE, (The Remingtons, Book 5), follow these friends on their search for forever love in the Seaside Summers series.

SEASIDE EMBRACE 

After working hard all day, creating his beautiful metal sculptures, sinfully sexy Hunter Lacroux likes to unwind with a hot, sexy babe--or two. But after spending a handful of naughty nights with seductive and beautiful Jana Garner, the woman who challenges everything he does and says, Hunter wants more.

As a dancer, boxer, actress, and waitress, Jana is tough, organized, and as dedicated as she is committed. She has to be to maintain her crazy schedule. But when it comes to men, Jana's had a string of bad relationships, and there's only thing she'll commit to--not committing.

White-hot passion ignites every time Jana and Hunter are together, but the closer Hunter gets, the faster Jana runs. When Hunter lays on the charm, Jana throws out a challenge she's sure he can't meet, and Hunter steps up to the plate, forcing her to face her hurtful past or let go of him forever.

SEASIDE EMBRACE is part of the SEASIDE SUMMERS series, and the newest addition to the "Love in Bloom" family. Each book may be read as a stand-alone novel, or as part of the series.


**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**



Available to buy from...... 


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About Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance (M/F, M/M, F/F), romantic suspense, thrillers, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa also co-writes the Love on Rockwell Island series with New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary CafĂ©. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. 



Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.





Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa at The World Literary Cafe
or her personal website.
Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.




Find Melissa on the following sites....
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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE LOVE IN BLOOM SERIES... 
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!
Win Seaside Dreams, Seaside Summers #1 ebook

Two Winners

Ending on Sunday 20th March at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide

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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-A NIGHT IN ANNWN-Owen Jones

Thursday, February 25, 2016


We have all heard of near-death experiences and whether you believe in them or not this book will give you pause and make you think. Granted this is a novel but too many I have known have gone through this. This one is an uplifting experience which helps to change the persons life around for the better. It also delves into different religious beliefs and how all are really the same. Do you believe in dead spirits talking to the living? Have you ever had the feeling that someone is watching over you?

Whether you believe in any of this or not this tale will give you hope and perhaps even make you a better person who accepts everything and everyone for who they are.


About the Book: (from Amazon)

The Story of William Jones' Near-Death Experience

William Jones, a sheep farmer from the Brecon Beacons, had led a happy life, until his wife, Sarah, died young. It left him devastated and seemingly bent on self-destruction. His daughter, Becky tried to help, but even she was losing patience with her father.

One evening, he is certain that he has died and been put out of his misery, but it was not to be. He recovered. However his life was never to be the same again.

He had discovered Annwn where his wife lived, and his newly found vitality changed his life and that of all those with whom he came into contact.

A Night in Annwn is a love story that spans the greatest divide - that between life and death; a look at a near-death experience and a new take on the mythological Welsh Heaven, which is Annwn.

Be prepared to see another side of Welsh Celtic mythology, but you will never think of death in the same way again.
That is guaranteed!

Read a Chapter or two here

Purchase the book here

About the Author: (from Amazon)

Author Owen Jones, from Barry, South Wales, came to writing novels relatively recently, although he has been writing all his adult life. He has lived and worked in several countries and travelled in many, many more.

He speaks, or has spoken, seven languages fluently and is currently learning Thai, since he lives in Thailand with his Thai wife of ten years.

"It has never taken me long to learn a language," he says, "but Thai bears no relationship to any other language I have ever studied before."

When asked about his style of writing, he said, "I'm a Celt, and we are Romantic. I believe in reincarnation and lots more besides in that vein. Those beliefs, like 'Do unto another...', and 'What goes round comes around', Fate and Karma are central to my life, so they are reflected in my work'.

His first novel, 'Daddy's Hobby' from the series 'Behind The Smile: The Story of Lek, a Bar Girl in Pattaya' has been followed by four sequels, but his largest collection is 'The Megan Series', eighteen novellas on the psychic development of a young teenage girl, the subtitle of which, 'A Spirit Guide, A Ghost Tiger and One Scary Mother!' sums them up nicely.
As Owen puts it:

'Born in the Land of Song, living in the Land of Smiles'.

Author's Website
Website (for Behind the Smile series)
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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-Shards of Murder-(A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery)-Cheryl Hollon

Wednesday, February 24, 2016


This is such a well thought out murder mystery that you will never guess who really did it until you are told at the end! Savannah has taken over her fathers glass shop after his death. She is also asked to take over his duties as judge for the Spinnaker Arts Festival. Yes, she is very nervous. Actually she finds it quite easy to pick the winner--but then at the award ceremony-the winner does not show up (to receive her $25,000 prize). No one knows where she is. While out with her dog on their morning run the dog spots something and won't budge---yup--it was the winner of the prize-dead.

Somehow Savannah has to find out who the killer is in order to get herself off the police list of suspects. She and her friends start to investigate all while running classes in glass making and taking her puppy to obedience training classes. Of course as I am sure you can imagine things start happening.

So who killed the artist and why? And who actually catches the killer? Trust me when I tell you you will enjoy this book. It is not only for adults-I think teens or even pre-teens would enjoy this one! (Of course as I always say-parents read it first-only you know your child).


About the Book: (from Amazon)

"A fresh and original new series!" --Krista Davis, New York Times bestselling author

When a glass-making competition turns deadly, glass shop owner Savannah Webb must search for a window into a criminal's mind…

As the new proprietor of Webb's Glass Shop, Savannah has been appointed to fill her late father's shoes as a judge for the Spinnaker Arts Festival, held in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. With her innovative glass works, the clear winner is Megan Loyola, a student of Savannah's former mentor.

But when Megan doesn't show up to accept her $25,000 award, rumors start flying. And when Savannah discovers the woman's dead body on festival grounds, the police immediately suspect her of murder. To keep from appearing before a judge herself, Savannah sorts through the broken pieces of glass scattered around the victim for clues as to who took this killer competition too far…

"Cheryl Hollon clearly knows her glass craft, but better still, she also knows how to craft a good mystery." --Sheila Connolly, New York Times bestselling author


Purchase the Book Here

About the Author: (from Amazon)


Cheryl Hollon writes full time after she left an engineering career of designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan and India.

Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind their St. Petersburg, FL, 1920's craftsman bungalow, Cheryl and her husband design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass and painted glass artworks and jewelry.

Authors Website
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Goodreads






I received a paperback 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.

$25 Amazon GC / Paypal-1-WW-Pretty Dolls and Hand Grenades-Cara Reinard-Ends 3/11

Tuesday, February 23, 2016


This is one of those books that starts out slow and picks up momentum as you go--and once it takes off--WOW. Cecelia has the perfect life--a beautiful home, a husband who makes a lot of money and two children. Okay, so the kids have their problems--major ones but nothing we all do not see. The daughter is anorexic because she wants to be a model and the son--well he is the proverbial teenager hiding behind his video games. She also has lots of friends just like her. Of course Cecelia does have one slight idiosyncrasy--she like to collect dolls--VERY VERY expensive dolls--but her husband can afford it-right? Well--her husband does complain about her spending so she hides a lot from him-until the credit card appears in his hands for payment. Then the fateful night at an awards ceremony when hubby thanks his assistant and not Cecelia for helping him. Everybody notices-she is mortified and angry!

A strange woman appears in the ladies room and keeps appearing throughout the rest of the book. She convinces Cecelia to do things that will ruin her almost ex (yeah-they almost get divorced). Her friends are avoiding her and her husband is not making any money thanks to the plans this woman concocts to get revenge. Pretty nasty stuff let me tell you!!

The ending will make you gasp when you find out who that strange woman is--what a magnificent twist!!



New Release 4th March, available to pre-order!



Thirty-something, Cecelia Laramie, strives for excellence like the other housewives in her quiet suburban neighborhood. Cece’s a bit eccentric with her elaborate doll collection and bouts of OCD, so when she finds out her well-to-do husband is misbehaving, she decides to nip it in the bud—with a baseball bat.

Getting revenge on her husband for his indiscretions becomes Cece’s newest obsession, but when another jilted housewife joins her cause, things go awry. Cece’s cutthroat accomplice pushes her to commit crimes throughout Manhattan, sabotaging her husband’s real estate business. When her counterpart introduces deadly weapons into the mix, Cece knows she's in over her head.

Cece’s a bundle of nerves; she’s a housewife, not a terrorist. Her new partner is nothing but trouble, but if the mysterious woman can help her reclaim her old life, Cece’s in. She just hopes their crazy antics don't land her a spot in prison first.


Available to pre-order at....


A little excerpt from the book......
Panting now, I couldn’t help thinking about the eruption of clapping at Mitchell’s words as if he’d said nothing wrong. My mind retreated back to the crowd of dark suits and dresses rising in standing ovation, as I remained seated in a special state of confusion.



What? Who was he calling an amazing woman he could not live without? She did his dry cleaning? I did his dry cleaning and hand-pressed many-a-dress shirt. What was she doing touching his shirts?



I sensed an obvious discomfort at my banquet table. The wife next to me raised her eyebrows and gave me an open-mouthed, super-smile, which said, “Yes, that was inappropriate for him to say, and yes, we all noticed.”



All the color must’ve drained from my face as I remembered locking eyes with Mitchell amid the applause before he darted behind the big black curtain. She was only his assistant, right? Was I overreacting? Was he genuinely indebted to her or was he purposely trying to disrespect me? My ears were ringing now and my head was going to explode. I’d had migraines before, but this was the mother of all migraines. I shut my eyes and splashed a little water on my face, trying to quell the fire in my head. When I opened my eyes I saw a woman.



I wasn’t alone.



About the author


Cara Reinard is an author of women's fiction and domestic thrillers. While attending college, she was an editor for her student newspaper, and also sold advertising space for the publication. Even though she's always had a passion for writing, Cara found she had a knack for persuading people with the art of verbal prose, known as sales, which she's done now for over a decade. Cara currently lives in the Pittsburgh Area with her husband, two children, and fluffy Bernese Mountain dog. When she's not hustling or chasing tiny footsteps--she's writing.



Find the author on the following sites...
Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads   Amazon Author Page





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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY

Win $25 Amazon.com Giftcard or Paypal Cash
(winners choice)
Open Worldwide
Ending on Friday 11th March at 11.59pm est

Enter below and Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway










I received an e-book copy of 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-The Homeport Journals-A.C. Burch

Monday, February 22, 2016


This is a sensitive and extremely well written book that chronicles the life of Marc Nugent. Marc is gay and is fleeing his abusive partner in NYC. He finds himself in Provincetown with no place to stay and no means of support. He helps an older woman pick up groceries that have fallen into the street and is directed to go to another woman's house where she knows there may be a job and a roof for over his head. The only caveat is that he can't tell who sent him there--or he may not get the job--and it is winter and starting to get cold!

The inhabitants of this house are interesting to say the least and it takes Marc a while to get used to them all. When the woman who owns the house finds out that Marc wants to be a writer she sets him up in the attic where her father used to journal every night. He is allowed to read all the journals--except for the last one--it is lost. There is a mystery to be solved here--and one that has kept 2 woman separated for a lot of years. Can Marc and his friends ferret out the real truth? Will any of them ever really learn to trust again? I suggest you read this book to find out!


About the Book: (from Amazon)

Fleeing New York City and an abusive partner, would-be writer Marc Nugent finds work at HomePort, the Provincetown mansion of Lola Staunton, a fabulously wealthy recluse. Aided by an attractive-but-unattainable artist and an all-to-available cross-dresser, Marc investigates accusations of rape and murder that have estranged Lola from a childhood friend for more than sixty years. Past and present converge when a long-lost journal reveals tales of infidelity, adultery, and passion that mirror the life Marc has recently abandoned. When his ex-lover arrives in search of revenge, Marc must confront his past, his notions of family, and his capacity for love.

Evocative, funny and heartfelt, The HomePort Journals will be to Provincetown what Tales of the City is to San Francisco.
— William J. Mann Author, The Men from the Boys series.

A cockeyed, full-hearted Provincetown fantasia, The Homeport Journals combines history and romance with a dash of wit and a firm belief that in some magical places there is always a second chance—for love and for art.
—Heidi Jon Schmidt Author, The House on Oyster Creek.

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book here

About the Author: (from Amazon)

Photo © 2015 Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo

A.C. Burch spent his early summers on Cape Cod and since then, the sand has never left his shoes. His first visit to Provincetown sparked a romance with the town that permeates The HomePort Journals. A.C. trained as a classical musician, but his passion for the arts extends to photography, the art scene in Provincetown and Miami, and, of course, the written word. His literary icons run the gamut from Jane Austen to Agatha Christie by way of Walter Mosely and Patrick Dennis. A.C. splits his time between Provincetown and South Beach. The HomePort Journals is his debut novel.


Author's Website
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I received a paperback 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 Saw An Advertisement The Other Day and It Made Me Remember

Sunday, February 21, 2016

I saw an Ad the other day about Lipitor and CoQ10 and I smiled. I had figured this out long ago!! Here is the full story.

Pic from http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/smiley-face-clip-art-emoticons
Some of you have seen me comment on how I won't or can't exercise--well here is what actually happened and why. It all started when my Doctor back then decided my Cholesterol was too high and prescribed Lipator. I took it for around a year-maybe more. I would still probably be taking it if I hadn't joined a gym!! Yeah--you read that correctly. At the beginning I had a personal trainer who was really good and I was slimming down-fast. BUT--I was feeling weaker and weaker. I told my doctor who told me it was impossible------NOT. You see it turns out that Lipitor can decrease your muscle function, but only in a very small number of people. I should have known--I have never been very good with medicine and if there is a one in two million chance it will happen--it will happen to me. Then the personal trainer left for a different job and I ended up hurting my shoulder-badly. I kept getting weaker and weaker and finally my Doctor decided maybe he better give me the test for muscle function---of course all of a sudden he was telling me to get off the Lipitor immediately but that there was nothing I could do to get back the muscle function I had lost. He suggested taking natural alternatives--but they did the same thing to me.

Well--deciding I would do a little research (I don't always believe Doctors)I discovered 2 over the counter products that just might help. The first was CoQ10 and the 2nd was ALA (alpha lipoic acid). CoQ10 is taken primarily by heart patients (the heart is a muscle albeit a special one) after all--and ALA from what I was reading helps makes other things work better. I had nothing to lose and bought a bottle of each. I have trouble swallowing pills so it took many brands until I found ones I could take easily. I happened upon Puritan's Pride and have been buying from them ever since! Yes, I am now an affiliate and will get a small commission if you click into the site using my left sidebar--but I am also an avid customer.

New Doctor--wants me to take Cholesterol meds--oh no--not again--I explained what happened and what I did to attempt to reverse it. Of course he did a muscle test again--and it was back--no sign of muscle deterioration!! He asked me where I got my supplements and before I could tell him--he said go to Puritan's Pride! I told him I already did!!


This is not meant as medical advice-only your doctor can tell you what to take and what not to take!! This is however a true account of what I went through.



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.

Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Basket GA-US-Ends 3/10 @las930 @SweetScarletts

Friday, February 19, 2016

Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Giveaway



So what are Sweet Scarletts you ask--well so did I and clicked into the review below to find out. They are Texas grapefruit-but sweet ones brought to you by the same people who you have seen for a while in your grocery stores. Halo--I know you have heard of them-and Pom. Both are quality products that I trust totally! I am so going to look for these when I am in the grocery store next. They are the Wonderful brand--and I certainly concur with their name!! For a chance to win the Gift Basket pictured-fill out that Giveaway form below!

Wonderful Sweet Scarletts Basket Giveaway

Hosted by: Michigan Saving and More

Sponsor: Wonderful Sweet Scarletts

See the review HERE.


ALSO I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE THANKS TO ALL THE AWESOME PROMOTING BLOGGERS! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING YOUR FOLLOWERS TO ENTER!

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This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from any of the sponsors in the last 12 month.This Giveaway is valid in the Continental United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 3/10/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com or contact the owner of the blog you are entering on!

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them!

No blogger has been compensated for promoting this contest.



I received an entry on the giveaway form for helping to promote this giveway. IF there are affiliate links they are NOT those of Miki's Hope. 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-Unscrupulous-(A Circle City Mystery #5)- M.E. May

Thursday, February 18, 2016


I thoroughly enjoyed reading Perfidy (book 1) (read my review here) and Purged (book 4)(read my review here)in this outstanding series by M.E. Mays. These are definite stand alone novels-there is no problem reading them out of order.

Just before the beginning of this novel M.E. Mays wrote this quote:

"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."

Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

This book will grab at your heart as totally vile and unscrupulous people kidnap 5 year old Maricella after murdering her mother. All she had left was a loving but bitter grandmother who had lost a son to gang violence. She wants her granddaughter! The kidnappers lie to the child telling her she is no longer wanted. Thus, not only do the detectives have to find the murderer--they have to find the missing little girl.

She is taken to a house far out in the country in a different state where she is mistreated. Fortunately there is an older boy who takes her under his wing. Then a teenage girl is kidnapped and brought to the house. She is bound and determined to escape! She also keeps an eye on young Maricella. Then a conversation is overheard and the children know they have to get out of there before something horrendous can happen. Maricella doesn't understand what is happening-but the older children certainly do.

Will the detectives manage to find Maricella and apprehend the kidnappers. You will be reading and sitting on the edge of your chair until you find out!!

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Christmas is only a week away, but not all is merry and bright for Sergeant Brent Freeman and his partner, newly promoted Detective Anne Samuels. They find themselves facing more than a homicide when they discover the victim’s five-year-old daughter, Maricella, is missing. When suspicion moves to human trafficking and gang involvement, the FBI sends in two of their best to assist in the investigation.

In the meantime, two people who insist her mother didn’t want her anymore have transported a terrified little Maricella out of state. Fortunately, she finds solace in two older children. These two soon realize their captors are prepping Maricella for organ harvesting. Their main goal becomes to protect her at any cost, even if it means running away in the snow and bitter cold temperatures of December without any knowledge of the area where they’re being held.

Can Maricella’s newfound protectors get her out of the house and to safety before the doctor decides she’s a transplant match? Will Brent discover where these unscrupulous persons are hiding the children before it’s too late?


Read a chapter or 2 here

Purchase the Book here

About the Author: (from the Author's Website)


M. E. May (Michele) lives in the far Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, with her husband, Paul, and white Husky, Iris. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the fourth of five children to working class parents. Both of her parents were avid readers who loved mystery, fantasy and romance. They often encouraged her to read as well. Her son, Brian, and daughter, Marie, and four wonderful grandsons, Kodey, Kaleb, Kameron, and Gustin all live in central Indiana. M. E. attended Indiana University-Kokomo studying Social and Behavioral Sciences. This sparked her interest in the psychology of humans and the curiosity to ask why they commit such heinous crimes upon one another.

At age 50, she finally realized what she wanted to be when she grew up -- an author. She always knew she had it in her, but was never quite sure how to fit writing in with raising children and working full-time. In 2008, her wonderful husband found out about her dream of becoming an author. He suggested she take a year off to get started. The children were grown and have been on their own for several years now, so why not?

To read more about this fascinating author click here to read her full biography on her website


Authors Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter






I received a paperback 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 Am Quickly Losing My Mind!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016


This has got to be one of the worst years ever when it comes to bookkeeping and clients. Nothing is going as planned-my calendar has more scratch outs and re entries between the weather and clients calling to reschedule or to tell me that they forgot something and could I PLEASE come in again and redo the forms for them YESTERDAY then has happened in a long time. Add to that that I still am not totally feeling myself after that hospital sojourn late December and seem to need naps every afternoon. I am still reading for my blog--but have been so tired I just can't seem to get the reviews written up-much less give comments so I can get comments!! I am barely managing to keep up with the FB group Tweets etc. I really try to get that all done on the same day--so far so good--before my eyes start closing or my fur baby starts annoying me cause she wants my undivided attention. I did manage to get my own taxes done--a miracle!!

All who come to Miki's have probably noticed that I am slowing down on giveaways--and they would be right. I have no real choice. I really do have to monetize my blog (or start getting sales from my affiliate sites)-AND do any of you realize what work it takes to get them out there. Time I don't have at the moment. Hopefully in a month or so I will be able to enter a few more hops (and find sponsors!). Until them it will be the books that have giveaways and a couple where I am helping out others. I also have a couple of posts I'm thinking of writing if I could only find the time and more important the energy!

Well it is almost 3 AM and I have to get a couple more hours of sleep before I drive to NYC to a client today (Baby is still waking me up at midnight by turning on my desk lamp).

I really hope I still see all of you on Miki's Hope and if you could would you just leave a comment on one or more of my reviews--I would so appreciate it!







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-Out of Darkness-(Briar Hospital)Lawrence Gold

Tuesday, February 16, 2016


Although I love all of Lawrence Gold's Novels--this is definitely one of my favorites. The author stated that this wasn't really his expertise-you would never know it. He has done a superb job of delving into the life of a young girl sold into the sex trade by her mother and how with the help of various people along the way she overcomes her past. There are many road blocks along the way all of which depict human nature at it's worst and at its best. The ending will make you happy and a smile is sure to come to your face.

About the Book: (from Amazon)

Out of Darkness deals with the abhorrent problem of human trafficking, the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the 21st century, ranking second after drug smuggling.

There are more young American girls entering the commercial sex industry—an estimated 300,000 at this moment—and their ages have been dropping drastically—the average starting age is an alarming thirteen.

Out of Darkness follows Cynthia Lange from despair—her mother selling her into sexual slavery, to her rescue by the FBI, and her difficult transition to a prominent physician at Brier Hospital in Berkeley, California.

While she had escaped from “the life,” she can’t rid herself from its aftereffects. She deals bravely with them and begins a new life. While the FBI created “legend” obscures her past, circumstances threaten to reveal the truth and destroy all she had worked so hard to create.

We discover in this novel that the human spirit can triumph over evil.

Read a chapter or two here

Purchase the book here

About the Author: (from author's website)


I was born in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, moved to Queens, and then, as New Yorkers say, my family ascended to the Island. After graduating from Valley Stream Central High School, I went to Adelphi, a college then, a university now, and then to medical school in Chicago. The war in Vietnam interrupted my postgraduate medical training with a year in Colorado Springs and another as a Battalion Surgeon in Vietnam. I spent seven months in the Central Highlands with the 4th Infantry and five months in an evacuation hospital in Long Binh outside Saigon where I ran the emergency room. I returned intact in 1968 to complete my training in internal medicine and diseases of the kidney, nephrology. I worked for twenty-three years in Berkeley, California in a hospital-based practice caring for patients with complicated illnesses often in ICU, and served as Chief of Internal Medicine and Family Practice. For many years, I was an active member of the quality assurance committee. Circumstances permitted my wife, Dorlis, and me to retire in October 1995. Before fate could intervene, we tossed off the dock lines, and sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for a life at sea in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Four years later, exhausted from repairing everything on board, (often many times) we sold the sailboat and within a year took the lazy man’s out; we bought a Nordic Tug trawler. We motored around Florida, the Bahamas, and the entire East Coast and completed two ‘circle trips’ to Canada and back, eight months, the first time, five months, the second. I’ve written eight novels, five in he Brier Hospital Series, and one non-fiction book, I Love My Doctor, But…, a lighthearted look at the patient/doctor relationship. I recently published my ninth novel, A Simple Cure, about the search for the cure of the most deadly skin cancer, malignant melanoma. I write primarily to entertain, but I can’t help but pass on to readers observations and beliefs culled from years of practice, and yes, my biases, too. I strive for realism in portraying the medical scene which is gripping enough without melodrama or gimmicks. With even a minor degree of success in writing novels, comes responsibility to readers. I attempt to produce honest material that reflects my beliefs. Exposing these beliefs to the public through my writing requires courage, stupidity, or both. My fans have been generous, and although nobody enjoys criticism, I’ve learned much from that, too. The novel that expresses most clearly my candor, and my bias, is For the Love of God. The novel reflects my attitudes toward those who are willing to sacrifice the lives of their children for their personal religious beliefs.

We live in beautiful Grass Valley with 15 1/2 year old Mike, a terrier mix and Bennie, an 8 year old Yorkie who just looks like he’s on steroids.

Author's Website
Dr. Gold's Fiction and Medical News (this is very interesting)
Facebook
Twitter-still under construction!
Goodreads




I received the mobi 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.

SNOA Sleepwear GA-US-Ends Feb 24

Monday, February 15, 2016


SNOA Sleepwear Giveaway
Feb 15-24, 2016
Open to USA

I have ALWAYS Loved nightgowns--I can't even begin to tell you how many I have purchased over the years. For the warmer months of the year I love a long silky nightgown. When the colder months arrive--fleece and warm and cuddly. I've even been known to purchase PJ's for the winter. Nothing but nothing makes me feel more feminine and comfortable!! These nightgowns are right up my alley and I love how they are also environmentally friendly!

Who doesn't like luxurious feeling of soft towels and bedding and PJs? The very personal details of our wardrobe call for  some warmth and luxury to allow us to relax and feel truly at home. SNOA Sleepwear has developed very unique sleeping items for women that feel like silk and provide the warmth and coolness to the body that the season outside the window dictates.

Bringing You Moments To Celebrate

snoa sleepwear

 Sponsored by SNOA 
Organized by
 Celebrate Woman Today

A simple secret of SNOA success among women is in their design and quality of the fabrics they use. Weaving together the fibers of beechwood, organic bamboo fleece and silk hemp creates an overwhelming combination of softness and luxury.

The SNOA company is a proud owner of sustainable technologies and use of resources. The solvent used to extract the beechwood fibers is easily recycled without any contamination, thus the fabric we get is very gentle for environment.

You already know, from our work with bamboo companies, that growing bamboo is a sustainable process of its own! This plant is more effective in CO2 extraction and Oxygen emission than trees. Besides, bamboo products are 100% biodegradable and recyclable!

Add hemp and silk married in one fabric – and you get the winner when it comes to the sustainability when it comes to the production process of SNOA garments. Hemp grows without leaving soil exhausted, requires little water and zero pesticides and herbicides.

Now that you know how our environment benefits from the production cycle of the SNOA sleepwear, you gotta test its silkiness and softness on your own skin.

To win your choice of luxurious sleepwear you will wear with joy and bliss, enter the form below.

Come back here tomorrow for Daily Entries as well!

Prize – Luxurious SNOA Sleepwear of Your Choice

Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway.

Refer your friends using your Unique Link inside Rafflecopter to earn even more entries to win.

Ends at 11:59pm EDT on February 24, 2016


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Announcement-4






I received a couple of entries in the rafflecopter for helping to promote this giveaway. 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.
 
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