Easter is right around the corner.  Do you decorate your house?  I have one box of Easter decorations – an Easter tablecloth, some stuffed bunnies and a small stained glass cross.  But I would love to have the house all festive for Easter and the beginning of spring, wouldn’t you?

CafePress has so many cute premade Easter decorations!!! Pillows, the perfect coffee mug design for any occasion,  plates, posters, ornaments – you got it!!

Check out this cute Easter pillow:

And here’s a cool Easter-themed plate:

Or you can design your own t-shirt, hat, kitchenware poster or bag with your own creative design or photo or quote.  And through April 11, if you ‘like” CafePress on Facebook  you can get 20% off your first custom order!!

Just in time for Easter and spring, CafePress is offering a $20 gift code to one of my lucky fans.  It would be perfect for picking up one of CafePress’s fun shirts, or anything else you might like. Enter on the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway is open to US residents age 18 and older.  Giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in anyway.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of CafePress.  All opinions are 100% my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today is my one year blogaversary!!  I can’t believe how fast the year has gone by, how much I’ve learned and how many new friends I’ve made!!

As a thank you to my fans (and friends) I am holding my biggest giveaway yet!!  Here’s what you could win:

Lion King Platinum Edition on DVD

The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry (one of my 5 star reviews!!)

California King Salmon apron & hat plus a $20 Visa gift card

“Just Breathe” coffee mug

“Just Breathe” t-shirt (choice of men’s or women’s and choice of size and color)

 A Snomee Snowglobe gift card holder with a $25 Walgreens gift card

Enter on the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway is open to residents of the United States, ages 13 and older.  Giveaway begins 12:01 a.m. ET on October 8, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 22nd, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to Cruising for Giveaways Hop! This hop is brought to you by Charisma Media!

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Try out the Journey 2: The Mysterious Island app and see if you could survive the Mysterious Island!!

Warner Bros. has been kind enough to offer a copy of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island on DVD for one of my lucky readers!! Enter on the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 and older and runs from 12:01 a.m. on 6/16/12 to 12:01 a.m. on 6/29/12.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Becoming

Jessica Meigs

ASIN: B006AKAQE4

Genre: Horror

Publication Date: November 2011

236 pages

About the book:

The Michaluk Virus is loose.

In the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, the Michaluk Virus has escaped the CDC, and its effects are widespread and devastating. Most of the population of the southeastern United States has become homicidal cannibals. As society rapidly crumbles under the hordes of infected, three people—Ethan Bennett, a Memphis police officer; Cade Alton, his best friend and former IDF sharpshooter; and Brandt Evans, a lieutenant in the US Marines—band together against the oncoming crush of death and terror sweeping across the world.

As Cade, Brandt, and Ethan hole up in a safe house in Tupelo, others begin to join them in their bid for survival. When the infected attack and they’re forced to flee, one departs to Memphis in search of answers while the others escape south to Biloxi, where they encounter more danger than they bargained for. And in Memphis, the answers that one man finds are the last answers he wanted, answers that herald a horrific possibility that there may be more to this virus than first suspected.

My Review:

I had never read zombie fiction for this book, although I did enjoy the movies Zombieland and I Am Legend and I had to stop watching The Walking Dead: Season One because I was having nightmares.  To be honest, I was afraid to read The Becoming at night for the first week.

Once I got into the book though, I was so enthralled by Cade, one of the strongest female characters I have ever read, and the gripping story line, I often forgot I was reading zombie fiction.  The book read much more like a war story.  I especially enjoyed Cade’s friendship with Ethan, the curmudgeonly police officer, and her camaraderie (maybe burgeoning romance?) with Brandt, the Marine. This book was a fast read because I didn’t want to put it down!!  I can’t wait until the sequel, The Becoming: Ground Zero, which comes out July 2012.

My rating: 4 1/2 IMI Galil SARs (if you read the book you’ll know what this is).

Jessica Meigs has been nice enough to offer an e-book of The Becoming for one of my lucky readers!!  Enter on the Rafflecopter below.

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of éclos Skin Care for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m at that age where my skin just doesn’t look like it used to.  Sun damage from my younger years has left me with discolorations.  Also, as we age, our skin loses its elasticity, so I have begun to notice some sagging and wrinkles (especially around my eyes.)  I also had blackheads and enlarged pores on my nose.

So when I was asked to try éclos Skin Care for a two week trial, I jumped at the chance!

Researchers at éclos found that Plant Stem Cells extracted from a rare
Swiss apple, (Uttwiler Spätlauber), showed tremendous ability to
stimulate skin stem cells, encouraging aging skin to behave like
younger skin.

Similar products were once only available from specialty brands at department stores with a high price tag to match. éclos is the first brand to bring this active ingredient to mainstream stores at a fraction of the cost- making beautiful and younger skin available to women everywhere.

The kit includes:

• Facial Cleanser Skin Prep
• Cellular Activator Face Serum
• Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
• Restorative Eye Cream
• Instant Radiance Facial Scrub
• Skin Renewal Clay Mask
• éclos Terry Cloth Head Band

Here’s my video of how the éclos Skin Care system works, including the facial prep and the clay mask:

I did not review the instant radiance facial scrub in the video.  This product is so much fun!!  It smells like lemons, and it heats up when you rub it in your palms.  Then apply to your skin (avoidiing the eyes) and wash off.  My skin is glowing when I’m done!!

Here is video two, which describes the moisturizing system:

And here is an “after” photo of my face:

The biggest visible difference for me between the two photos is that the redness is lessened significantly in the second picture.  Additionally, although you can’t see it, my face feels so soft and much less dry than before. My blackheads are much fewer and my nose feels smooth, instead of rough and bumpy like it did before.  I’m looking forward to continuing éclos Skin Care so I can see the full benefits of the products.

And now, éclos Skin Care is offering one of my readers the chance to win the same facial system that I tried at home (a $19.99 value).  To enter, leave a comment on my blog telling me which product you are most excited to try.  (US citizens 18 and older only please).  Winner will be drawn after June 11, 2012.

This giveaway is closed.  Congratulations to Kimberly B!!

So I went a little overboard this year and made ten New Year’s resolutions.  I stuck them to my wall heater and promptly forgot about most of them.  Well, it’s been more than four months since then, so I decided I’d better review my resolutions and see how I’ve done so far:

1. Run/walk at least 30 minutes 3 days/week. – Had to curtail this one due to a bad cold and the severity of my asthma this time of year.  Hoping to get back to it in late summer/early fall.
2. Complete a 5k (may be virtual) – still planning on doing this one
3. Walk with hubby or do cardio video 3 days/week – got away from this one for a little while, but started up again in April.
4. Strength training 5-6 days/week – had to curtail this for a little while too, but back to doing squats every day and planning to add back in more exercises over the next few weeks.
5. 5 or more servings of freggies (fruits and/or veggies) daily – most days, yes
6. Increase my blog posts to 3 days/week by February 1st, 4 days/week by June 1st and 5 days/week by October 1st.- I am ahead of the game on this one since I had 4 posts last week and will have 5 this week.
7. Yoga/meditation 1 day/week – For some reason I am having a hard time committing to this one – just need to make the time and do it.
8. Commit to 4 online Bible studies throughout the year – I have already participated in two and signed up for one more.
9. Attend church at least once a month – so far so good
10. Night out with friends at least once a month – some months are better than others.

Warner Bros. has released a fun new quiz that will help you decide how well you are doing on your New Year’s resolutions, give you a “do-over” and some tips on how to keep those resolutions going for the rest of the year:

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Warner Bros.’ movie New Year’s Eve, just released on DVD and Blu-Ray May 1, stars Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Katherine Heigl, Sofia Vergara, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, and Josh Duhamel!   And we one of my blog readers can win a copy of this romantic DVD!!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway ends May 22nd, 2012 and is open to US residents age 18 and older.

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77 Days in September

Ray Gorham

ASIN: B0052T1O6S

Genre: Technothriller

Publication Date:May 2011

283 pages

About the Book:

From Amazon.com: On a Friday afternoon before Labor Day, Americans are getting ready for the holiday weekend, completely unaware of a long-planned terrorist plot about to be launched against the country. Kyle Tait is settling in for his flight home to Montana when a single nuclear bomb is detonated 300 miles above the heart of America. The blast, an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP), destroys every electrical device in the country, and results in the crippling of the power grid, the shutting down of modern communications, and bringing to a halt most forms of transportation.

Kyle narrowly escapes when his airplane crashes on take-off, only to find himself stranded 2,000 miles from home in a country that has been forced, from a technological standpoint, back to the 19th Century. Confused, hurt, scared, and alone, Kyle must make his way across a hostile continent to a family he’s not even sure has survived the effects of the attack. As Kyle forges his way home, his frightened family faces their own struggles for survival in a community trying to halt its slow spiral into chaos and anarchy.

Review:

My previous experience with survival or “doomsday” fiction was Stephen King’s The Stand and David Brin’s The Postman.  I’ve also seen the Mad Max movies, The Book of Eli, and The Road.  I tend to appreciate the stories that tend more to the redemptive nature of humanity rather than the ones that focus on our baser sides.

In this uncertain world (especially my uncertain world) I found it very difficult to read this book.  My life sucks enough right now without worrying about terrorist attacks or EMPs or the Mayan prophecies or the zombie apocalypse.  Seriously.  But as a piece of fiction, this is an awesome read.  Alternately thrilling and touching, I got so caught up in the story of Kyle’s struggle to return to his family that I could barely put the book down.

This is a book that will make you think – beyond “am I prepared?” although that thought will definitely cross your mind, but also ‘what am I willing to do to survive?” and “how far am I willing to go to help a stranger?”

If you enjoy survival fiction or you just need to restore your faith in the resilience of the human spirit, then I highly recommend this book!!

My rating: 4 1/2 water bottles (believe me, you’ll need water in your doomsday prep kit).

About the Author:

Ray Gorham lives in the small, farming community of Shepherd, Montana with his wife and five children. He runs his log home business by day and writes in the evenings, on weekends, and whenever the weather keeps him inside.

Interview:

TM: Tell me about your path to publication for 77 Days in September.

RG:Back in 2008 I had a few jobs fall through as the economy crashed, so I knew I’d have some time on my hands.  I’d wanted to write a book for some time, so I decided I’d never have a better chance.  I wrote most of the winter, then re-wrote it a half dozen times.  By August I started querying agents, but had limited success.  I queried and re-wrote for another year with no positive results.  I had pretty much given up when I read an article concerning self-publishing digitally.

Since I had the book written, I figured I had nothing to lose, so I re-wrote again in my spare time, and finally, in May 2011 I had it where I thought it was fit for publication.  With Amazon it started slow (12 the first month), but is now where I’m selling around 2,000 units a month.

TM: How do you balance your writing with your full-time job and roles as father and husband?

RG: Initially it worked well, because my real job was taking 10 hours a week.  For the last year I have been able to do very little writing, because work has picked back up pretty good, but not to the point where I’ve been to hire back all of my previous help, so writing ends up last on the list, below work, family and other responsibilities.  Next month I’ll be able to hire a couple of folks, so that should allow me to do some more writing.

TM: Do you consider yourself a survivalist?

RG: I consider myself a prepper, though I tend to venture pretty close to being a survivalist.  We live on 7 acres, just planted 80 fruit trees, have chickens, food storage, and I just started bee-keeping.  I’m not big into guns, so weapons is an area I am lacking in, but I do share a similar mind-set and tendencies with survivalists.  Since writing the book I’ve upped the rate of my preparations, and hopefully have influenced others to do so, as well.

TM:  What are the top three things your recommend people do to prepare for a catastrophe?

RG: Hard to say without knowing their situation, but there are things everyone can do.

First: Store as much food as you can.  If you are hungry and scared you won’t think well in an emergency, so use space under beds, in closets, garages, spare rooms, basements, etc., to store canned food and water.  In a severe emergency, grocery stores will be empty in less than 48 hours, and after that it could be months or years before they are restocked.

Second:  Make a plan.  Where you will go (if you need to leave), how you will cook, travel, communicate and so forth.  All those things can fail in an instant.

Third:  Practice growing some of your own food.  For most of history, over 90% of the population was farmers, now less than 1% is.  If we ever need to produce our own food, there will be a lot of people who have never gotten dirt under their fingernails and who will be pretty helpless.  Even if it’s just tomatoes and squash, it’s something.

I’m sure there are other things that are important.  Just doing something is essential.  For too many people, next year is when they are going to start on it.

TM: What is your take on the Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 21, 2012?

RG: Not sure why the Mayans would have any special insight into the matter, but it does sell books and help ratings.  That said, I think the world is due for some corrections.  Things have been pretty easy for a long, long time.  It might not be 2012, but I think in my lifetime I’ll need to be able to provide for myself due to external factors.  I hope I’m wrong, because I have 5 kids who will face the same issues, but I don’t think I am.

Follow Ray Gorham on Goodreads.

Like 77 Days in September on Facebook

This review brought to you by Charisma Media Network.

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

Ray Gorham has generously agreed to allow me to give away one copy of the e-book of 77 Days in September to one of my readers.  Please enter on the Rafflecopter below.  Contest is open to US residents age 18 and older.  Giveaway ends 5/18/2012.

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I am so excited that Marvel’s The Avengers movie is almost here!!  I was a big comic book fan growing up, and while The Amazing X-Men were my favorite, Thor and the Avengers were a close second.   While I thought a few of the individual Avenger movies were a little uneven, this movie definitely proves that the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

For my review of the movie – go here

Check out this featurette and see what you think:

May 4th is the big day!!  To celebrate, Marvel is offering one of my lucky readers an Avengers Movie Prize Pack.  Here’s what’s included:

- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS t-shirt in adult  sizes of S, M, L, XL

- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS set of 6 buttons

- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS one pair of limited edition 3D glasses

Enter to win on the Rafllecopter below!!
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It’s my six month blog-aversary and I’m celebrating by giving away some items from my Zazzle store.

The first prize I am giving away is this Just Breathe t-shirt.

Just Breathe ladies ringer shirt by wizkey
Design a unique custom t-shirt at Zazzle

The prize will be the winner’s choice of this style, the women’s tanktop or men’s t-shirt style.

2nd prize is the Just Breathe design on a coffee mug.
Thank you to all those who entered!!

You can visit my Zazzle store here. Use code PERSONALTEES to save 10% off your t-shirt purchase in my store.

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