Pure Ice Crackle Nail Enamel

The product: Available in 11 trendsetting shades, all of the Pure Ice Crackle Nail Enamels are worn on top of regular Pure Ice enamel to create a "cracked" effect on your nails. All Pure Ice Crackle Nail Enamels contain Bari Cosmetics' patented salon long-wear formula and are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP.

What I thought: The Pure Ice Crackle Nail Enamels are so much fun to use. I love painting my nails all the time. I started painting them more at the beginning of last year. Since then I have found so many great new polishes and finishes. It's fun trying new things. What I really like about the Crackle is I can use it over other nail polishes that I have for a fun, new look. Using different color combinations always makes it interesting and fresh.

I received blue, red and silver crackle with a white base color. These were fun with patriotic holidays. First you apply your few coats of polish as usual. Then you just apply the crackle over top when it's dry. Just wait a few seconds and you will see the paint start to crackle. It turns out a neat look in the end. I always follow up with a tough top coat to help it last. Then all done. What do you think? I have so much fun with these. If you or someone you know is adventurous and likes to do their nails, this is perfect for you.

Where to buy: You can find Pure Ice Crackle Nail Enamels online at www.baricosmetics.com and at Wal-Mart stores nationwide.



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

Sports Shield Bandages

Sports are fun for kids. It's good to be active and involved. But as mom's, we know that accidents are bound to happen...especially when there are kids running around outside. Now you can cover your children's ouchies with cute bandages that show off their love of sports with Sports Shield.

The product:

Adhesive Bandage Company Launches Sports-Theme Bandages for Kids -- Available July 24, 2012 From The Jolly Group

Ellenville, NY (June 25, 2012) – Bumps and boo-boos are a basic part of growing up, but your child’s healing bandage can be anything but basic thanks to Sports Shield and its newest kid-themed adhesive strips they’ll be proud to wear.

Created by the Jolly Group, who entered the first aid/wound care industry in 1995, Sports Shield Brand is no ordinary bandage.  While it serves its purpose protecting cuts, scrapes and minor wounds, it also helps you show your passion and allegiance to your favorite sport.

Sports Shield bandages are appealing to all ages and gender, made from super lightweight, latex free material and offer top-quality protection and flexibility for even the most active individuals. Their full, non-stick pad design offers more wound-coverage and is soft and flexible, easily conforming to the body.  It’s like you’re not even wearing them!

Ideal for anyone active in sports, Sports Shield bandages are available in two different sizes for adults and kids alike and come in eight additional designs: “Baseball,” “Basketball,” “Football,” “Soccer,” “Hockey,” “Cheerleading, “Girls Soccer” and “Fun Fashion.” They truly are The Choice of Active People™! 

The company also has available non-sports- themed bandages with two designs also available July 24th.  Perfect for action-loving boys, “Rescue” themed bandage features fire trucks and ambulances, while “Lady Bug” – adorned with butterflies and ladybugs – is sure to delight little girls.

Suggested retail price for 25 count packages is $2.50 each and $4.00 for the super size variety pack with 16 different themed bandages.

Visit www.sportsshield.com for more information, to purchase products and more.

About The Jolly Group

The Jolly Group has been a manufacturer of various consumer products since 1984.  Products have included a line of upscale plush toys through their Plush Factory Division for companies including FAO, Nieman Marcus, Kay Bee Toys & TRU;  junior sporting goods through their Berkshire Sports Division for Kay Bee Toys, Kmart & Sears; microscopes and telescopes under their Edu-Science Brand with their affiliated company Shin Nihon in Japan for TRU and many catalog customers; Art Aqua, an upscale line of aquarium ornaments for the pet industry, supplying and designing a line of private label products exclusively for  Petco as well as supplying products for Royal Pet Supplies, one of the largest distributors of pet supplies to the independent pet retailers in the country.

The Group is now looking to expand its line of first aid products and accessory items.

What we thought: Of course fun band-aids are always a hit with children, my son too. The best part about Sports Shield is the variety of sports that you can get. You can find boys themed and girls themed ones too. They come in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, cheerleading, girls soccer and fun fashion.

Over the last few years my son had played a variety of sports: soccer, baseball, football and swimming. It didn't take too many practices for me to realize that it was important to have a few things handy...and bandages was one of those. I just made it a point to always have them in my purse at practices and games. Several times they were used, and most times by someone other than my son. It was good to have the bandages handy to give to another parent. They are very useful. And even better is having the bandage that features the kids sports. They love to use them too.

Where to buy: You can get Sports Shield Bandages through their website- http://www.sportsshield.com, on Amazon, and a few other online retailers.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

"Texas Wildflowers" by Anita Higman Blog Tour #Giveaway

The product:

Texas Wildflowers

 

"A romance assortment of petits fours, and as dreamy sweet."

 

—Harold Wolf 
 

 

From the Back of the Book:

The four McBride sisters risk their hearts for love in the islands, canyons, mountains and bayous of Texas.

 

Deserted at the altar, a devastated Rosy McBride heads back to Galveston Island and begins working at her mother’s scrapbooking business. Will spending time with Larson Brookfield help mend her broken heart, or will she merely wind up pasting away?

 

Christian counselor Lily McBride relies on her quirky common sense and God’s wisdom to help her clients. Will she be successful at her new career or break the most solemn of counselor/patient vows by falling for the handsome, eccentric, and impossibly irresistible Rubin McCall while hiking the Palo Dura Canyon?

 

In the mountain town of Alpine, Violet McBride owns Romantic Images, a business that teaches people how to live romantically. Will Morgan Jones, a geek she meets online, show her the real meaning of romance and the art of love?

 

Heather McBride’s picture-perfect life has unraveled in the bayou. Will the free-spirited Evan Finch not only reawaken her artistic passion but also give her the courage to fall in love—without her day-planner?

 

Will God help give these women the pluck to love the least likely of soul mates?

 

Read Chapter One at:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/137142510/TexasWildflowers_ChapterOne

An Interview with Anita:

 

Tell us a bit about Texas Wildflowers.

Texas Wildflowers is a 4-in-1 novella collection through Barbour Publishing. Each novella is set in an exotic location in Texas. They are lighthearted romances, and they’re all tied together with the four McBride sisters.

 

Which of the four novellas was the most fun to write?

They were each fun to write in their own way, but my favorite character was Lily, the counselor, in Forget Me Not Lily. She was quirky and fun, relatable and loveable. At least that’s what I hope readers will feel.

 

All these novellas are set in Texas. Are the towns and parks real?

Yes, in fact one of the novellas is set in Big Bend National Park, where my husband and I went on vacation. So, when you read about the characters on certain trails, they’re real, and we hiked them!

 

Did you have a favorite book when you were a child?I loved fairytales. Cinderella was my favorite.

 

Do you have a vacation spot you’d love to visit?

I’m dreaming of Ireland. My husband and I plan to travel there next summer. Can’t wait! Then I’m going to use the emerald isle as a setting in one of my novels.

 

What are 5 things that your readers might not know about you?

1. While I was in college I tried working in a pillow factory. I was terrible at it. I got so weary with the repetition I started yakking with the woman next to me. We got reprimanded over and over until I quit. I discovered one thing from that college job—talking is something I excel at.
2. I once won a hog-calling contest at a banquet. I was not embarrassed, but I should have been.
3. I have a bird phobia, and yet I love birds! (That is, from a distance.) My house is filled with the fake kind—prints on the walls, statues, and general bird doodads. Go figure.
4. I keep some interesting treasures near me when I write—a wooden jewelry box my son made me when he was in school, a candle from the 1960s, a hat once owned by a famous mystery writer, the inner parts of a music box, a birthday card that plays The Twilight Zone theme song, and an old family toy helicopter that says, “Going up.”
5. Thirty-four years ago I rappelled off a cliff alongside the man I was dating. We kissed in mid-air while dangling off that cliff. I ended up marrying that man, and we've celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary!

What awards have you won?

I’ve won two book awards. One of my co-authored books entitled, A Tribute to Early Texas, won a San Antonio Conservation Society Citation as well as a Westerners International Book Award. Also, I was given three honors by readers: I was a Favorite New Author in the 15^th Annual Heartsong Presents Awards, and my co-authored novel, Castles in the Air, was a Favorite Contemporary Romance in the 16^th Annual Heartsong Presents Awards. My most recent award is a 2011 RWA Readers Choice Award (first place) for my novella, Once Upon a Christmas Eve.

 

When readers finish the last page of Texas Wildflowers, what do you want them to come away with?

I would love for them to be inspired, challenged, and entertained. If I accomplished even one of those things I would feel my writing time wasn’t wasted.

 

Where can your readers connect with you online?

Please drop by my website at www.anitahigman.com, or visit my Reader Page on Facebook and chat with me there at http://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorAnitaHigman.

About the Author:

Bestselling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has thirty-two books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Please visit her online at www.anitahigman.com.

What I thought: This book was fun, relaxing, quick read. It's something nice that I like to pick up from time to time just to have something fun to read without thinking too hard. I enjoyed the stories that unfolded of each of these sisters from Texas in the different books within Texas Wildflowers. After the first story, the rest of the stories got a little predictable. They all revolved around one sister, who was in need in some way at the time. It was a turning point for her life. She meets a boy, falls in love quickly, and they live happily ever after. While they were feel-good stories, it did get a little redundant by the last story. Still I enjoyed the book.

Where to buy: You can find Texas Wildflowers by Anita Higman in stores and online now.

Prize: One reader may win a copy of this book- Texas Wildflowers by Anita Higman. Read instructions below.

Giveaway: This giveaway will be open until 8:00PM EST on 1/16. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. Let me know what you think you'd like about this book or a comment about the author.

There must be at least 10 commenters in order for me to submit a winner!! So don't waste time. Enter now & tell your friends about it too!!



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

"Touching the Sky" by Tracie Peterson - Land of the Lone Star #2

Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite authors. She writes Christian fiction. And most of her books, like this one, are historical fiction. I have learned about all sorts of places in the country from her engaging stories. This latest series is the Land of the Lone Star. The first book in the series Chasing the Sun was wonderful, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book in the series.

The product: Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson:

Her heart is caught between the man she loves and the sister she's desperate to protect.

Though their first encounter is hardly auspicious, Laura Marquardt soon discovers herself drawn to the dashing Captain Brandon Reid. As an officer over the colored troops, he eagerly supports her desire to educate blacks and seek harmony in a town where the defeat of the South is a bitter reality. 

When Laura's sister marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation after overhearing a discussion with frightening consequences. In her heart she feels she should confide in Brandon, but Laura fears to do so may endanger her sister's life. Yet as the stakes continue to rise and Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into doubt, Laura questions where to turn...and wonders if her own dreams of love may be forsaken.

"a superb novel that blends romance with post-Civil War history...and the evolution of our nation as it struggled through this turbulent time." --CBA Retailers & Resources"Peterson has done her history homework and writes with the confidence acquired over the course of authoring more than 90 novels...Peterson's many fans will certainly be pleased with this foray into Texas history." --Publishers Weekly

What I thought: This book picked right up where the last one left off. It was very good. I think that Touching the Sky is my favorite book in the series so far. Maybe I related well to Laura, being the oldest in her family and her concern for her younger sister. I don't know what for sure it was, but this story is enticing. There is quite the drama for Laura and especially her sister, Carissa, when they start hearing things about Carissa's husband. His involvement is bad news, but how can they fix things without hurting Carissa in the process?

Where to buy: You can find Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson in stores and online now.




*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*

"Submerged" by Dani Pettrey

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Submerged by Dani Pettrey. I've seen someone else describe it as a romantic suspense book. Interesting combination. But that is how this book goes. From the start you will be "submerged" in a mystery in small town Alaska. As the story unfolds you'll see more pieces to the puzzle. And when a girl from the past come back into town, how will people see her now?

The product: Submerged

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. 

One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart...but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

"Pettrey is a new author to watch. Recommended for fans of Dee Henderson." --Library Journal
"A spell binding mystery, full of suspense and a great story that will pull you in." --The Suspense Zone
"[A] steadily paced thriller...Pettrey's debut novel is a thoughtful attempt to capture both love and suspense in this intricately plotted mystery."
--Publishers Weekly
"Combining romance, danger, and a dose of Russian history, the novel proves a rapid and entertaining read."--Booklist

About the Author

Dani Pettrey is a wife, homeschooling mom, and author. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves--the thrill of adventure, nailbiting suspense, the deepening of her characters' faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland with their two teenage daughters. Visit her website at www.danipettrey.com.

What I thought: Author Dani Pettrey has done a good job on this book. The mystery of an accident that claimed lives is introduced in the opening pages. When you think you know what's happening, something else happens to confuse you further.

I did have a bit of a problem following all of the characters in this book. There is a family with several grown children who are constantly interacting, but for quite a while I had a hard time keeping them straight. They are never really introduced, but their characters unfold as the story does.

Things in life change, and that we can see with one of the main characters Bailey. She had quite the reputation when she was a teenager, but after leaving Yancey, Alaska, she straightened her life and changed for the better. The problem is she broke most of her ties to the small town, and she doesn't know how people will receive her when she has to go back for her aunt's funeral.

This book is interesting and I enjoyed the plot. I think that you'll see it's a fast read like I did too.

Where to buy: You can find Submerged by Dani Pettrey in stores and online now.




*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

Because I Said So! "Big Bang Boom!" Kid's CD

The product:

'BECAUSE I SAID SO!' POWER POP FOR KIDS — WITH A MESSAGE FROM BIG BANG BOOM “You know a band really knows its core audience when it plays a shout-along version of the Spongebob Squarepants theme. Big Bang Boom is loud, raw, and most of all, a lot of fun.”  –  Kathy Lauer-Williams, The Morning Call GREENSBORO, NC  (June 25, 2012) -- Hot on the heels of winning a Grand Prize in this year's John Lennon Songwriting Contest, North Carolina's favorite power pop band for kids, Big Bang Boom, is poised to come front and center on the national stage with the September 18 release of their third studio CD, Because I Said So!  Comprised of three devoted dads who just happen to be seasoned professional musicians, Big Bang Boom is know for laying down solid, hard-rockin', parent-friendly music that's FUN.   As children of the '70s and '80s, with influences ranging from the Bee Gees and KISS to Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and U2, Big Bang Boom writes music that's all about what makes pop music popular, cleverly mixing pop, alternative, hip-hop, country and other styles to create their own playful,  contemporary sound.  As a rule, their lyrics are written from a child's perspective, something that comes naturally to these dad-musicians, who quite pragmatically insist that this makes the "messages" in their songs more palatable than they would be if voiced by an adult authority figure.  Big Bang Boom shines when it comes to fresh ideas for creatively putting a song together. Witness the terrific energy and intense, driving rhythms of "Green Light," a song that's a revved-up version of the backyard game Red Light/Green Light.  When that rocking' bass comes to a sudden STOP! --  punctuated by drummer Eddie Walker -- there's no doubt in anyone's mind regarding what it's about.  Guitarist Steve Willard picks out a neat sounding, "stick in your ear" introduction to "Bicycle" that perfectly paints a happy musical portrait of one of the benchmark moments in a kid's life.  There's a heartfelt tribute to a special kind of mom in "Hippie Mom" and a "just for fun" song, "I Can Sing," which encourages kids to create their own music but wisely includes a confidential rap detailing a variety of topics not meant for public warbling.  More good advice for kids comes through loud and clear in "One" (about making a difference in the world), "Are We There Yet?" (demonstrating by example what it's like for parents to be on the receiving end of groaning, whining, and moaning from the back seat), and the album's title track, which ends with a child coming to the conclusion that there's not always an explanation for "Why?"  Notes Big Bang Boom's Chuck Folds, "Because I Said So! is the product of a new level of maturity for Big Bang Boom, which makes sense  As our children get older, our music grows up, too.  Our first CD had a much more 'kiddie' feel.  Our second album was a little more pop, with the lyrics and music becoming a bit more sophisticated.  Because I Said So! is the most multi-generational of the trilogy, and a few songs on the album could fit right in to either a kids' radio show or one on the adult end of the spectrum.  We try to write using language that is  familiar and meaningful to children, while on another level referencing a depth that kids may not understand.  It's like SpongeBob cartoons.  There's plenty in those cartoons that grownups will 'get,' but that goes right over kids' heads.  As with any good work of art, we want our songs to have multiple layers of meaning for anyone, at any age." After twenty years spent touring clubs and playing for "grown up" parties, Chuck Folds, Steve Willard, and Eddie Walker decided in 2007 to expand their horizons and focus on family entertainment.  As Big Bang Boom they have released two CDs of original music, made countless morning television appearances, played the prestigious Kidzapalooza stage at Lollapalooza (2011), the family stage at the Hangout Music Fest, the family music industry conference Kindiefest (2012), the Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF), Musikfest (2009), and even the NASCAR Coca Cola 600 Speed Street Festival.  Their song, "Monster Under the Bed," was a Grand Prizewinner in this year's John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and they placed as finalists in the International and USA Songwriting Contests. Previous Big Bang Boom recordings include Songs Your Mom Will Like (2010) and Why Can't I Have Ice Cream? (2008).  Because I Said So will be available online at www.CDBaby.com and iTunes.

What we thought: This CD is another great addition to my son's collection. This CD is a fun one that my son can enjoy and dance along to. Dancing is a great way for him to work out some energy (especially when it's cold and snowy out). Fun children's music is wonderful to have around the house, or in the car while you're traveling. And this isn't your boring, ear-splitting Barney-type music, this is fun stuff that the whole family won't mind listening to. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did.

Where to buy: You can find the Because I Said So! Big Bang Boom! CD on their website, on Amazon and a few other websites.



*Disclaimer: I received this product to review. All opinions are my own.*

Hullabaloo "Raise A Ruckus" Kid's CD

The product:

'RAISE A RUCKUS' A NEW CD FROM HULLABALOO WITH GRAMMY® WINNERS BUCK HOWDY AND MARCY MARXER PLUS MOLLY LEDFORD (OF LUNCH MONEY) AND DENNIS CAPLINGER TOP 10 BEST CHILDREN'S CDs of 2010:  “As good as it gets when it comes to children's music.”  – Parents Magazine 8 OUT OF 10 STARS: “If Johnny Cash had downed a case of Red Bull, then gone out to perform for an arena full of kids, it might have sounded like this.” – COOKIE magazine BEST CHILDREN'S MUSIC of 2011 : “An instant in-car classic.”  – Education.com SAN DIEGO, CA  (June 19, 2012) -- With ten major national awards in their hip pocket and an eight-year track record of glowing critical acclaim, the beloved "free-range, organic" kid-folk duo Hullabaloo has pulled out all the stops for their 10th studio CD, Raise a Ruckus. Produced by GRAMMY® nominee Tor Hyams,  Raise a Ruckus takes Hullabaloo's down-home, good-times musical ebullience to a new level, with guest artists Grammy® winner Buck Howdy, Grammy® winner Marcy Marxer, Molly Ledford of Lunch Money, and the extraordinary multi-instrumentalist Dennis Caplinger — whose credits include Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, Vince Gill, Ray Price, Rita Coolidge, and Nickel Creek, among many others — bringing their considerable talents to a kick-up-your-heels party with the duo that's been described as a blend of Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, and Mr. Rogers. Hullabaloo has made a career out of creating tickle-your-funnybone, laugh-out-loud humor that saturates every song and qualifies them as direct heirs to the likes of Homer & Jethro and the Hoosier Hot-Shots.  The clever quality ofHullabaloo's narrations sets the story of each song in a halo of brainy sophistication, while their knockout musicianship and vocal clarity deliver the entire production with a sense of effortless grace.  Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremercan safely challenge any parent or child to listen to them cut loose on a goofy gem like "Dad Upside Down" without cracking a smile.  That kind of infectious humor permeates every track of Raise a Ruckus. The album's title song — in the old days, a real "get down and boogie" staple on Louisiana Hayride and The Grand Ole Opry — has been given new, kid-friendly lyrics and up-to-date energy, while other songs, like "Trash is My Treasure" (the triumphant anthem of a food-recycling seagull) have a more contemporary slant.   One of the most evocatively colorful songs on Raise a Ruckus, "Favorite Day," calls upon Molly Ledford to combine her vocal and xylophone talents with those of Dennis Caplinger on ukulele and dobro, along with the great sound of Gunnar Biggs' slap bass. Buck Howdy really shines on a "Song About Nothing," which proves that if a song has a great shape and energy, syntax takes a back seat. Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer met in kindergarten and have been friends ever since.  They started playing music together in the 5th grade band, where they vigorously showed off their developing talents on "Old MacDonald" and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."  Little did they know that, decades later, these songs would still be among their biggest hits!   Steve grew up to be an elementary school music teacher, folksinger, and songwriter, while Brendan became a rock 'n' roll drummer.  Hullabaloo officially began when Steve and Brendan teamed up to play a few songs at Brendan's twin daughters' first birthday party.  Fast-forward eight years to find that Hullabaloo has performed more than 1,500 shows throughout the country at venues ranging from birthday parties to fancy concert halls.  Along the way they've released nine award-winning albums (at last count, with more than 20,000 sold) and developed a loyal following nationwide.

What we thought: This is a fun children's music CD. My son likes listening to it at night. He usually will listen to a CD each night to fall asleep (and often leaves it looping over and over all night). This is a great one that I know is kid friendly and full of fun (and funny) songs that he can safely enjoy. This is a great CD for  your family too.

Where to buy: You can find Hullaballo Raise a Ruckus CD at hullabalooband.com, Amazon and a few other online stores.

How to connect: Learn more about the band and their other CDs at http://hullabalooband.com. You can also find them on Facebook.



*Disclaimer: I received this product for review. All opinions are my own.*