Diaper Bags: 5 Tips For Making it Work

With a new baby almost here I have been working hard to get everything prepared. One of the things that I have had to spend some time revamping is our diaper bag situation. It wasn't too bad but I have spent some time reevaluating what is inside so today I'd like to share with you my must have in the diaper bag list.

1. The Bag - This might very well be the hardest part. You want something cute. You want something not too big and not too little. Most of all, you want something easy to wash and stain resistant. Did I mention easy to wash and stain resistant?
   
   
2. The Diapers - Being that this is a diaper bag you'll want to make sure you have 2-3 reliable diapers, like Huggies Little Snugglers from Sam's Club, plus wipes with you at all times. Some people also like to include a changing pad and diaper cream on this list however, as nice as they are, I often forgo these in the diaper bag simply to save space and weight.
   
   
3. The Snacks - This is one of the most important parts of my diaper bag. I like to contain the snacks in a separate bag - something with a zip top either reusable or disposable depending on your preference. Now the important part, what to pack for snacks. For a new baby that's pretty easy, a bottle if needed and formula (we like the individual serving packets), but there are a few other things I would add. First, don't forget something for yourself. I keep a small bottle of water and some granola bars or trail mix. As baby gets older, or if you have other children, you may want to pack something for them as well. Squeeze pouches with applesauce or fruit leather are great options that are easy to feed and healthy for your children.
   
   
4. The Other Items - A blanket, a burp cloth (or three or four), a change of clothes for baby, and extra shirt for yourself, pacifiers, small toys, and anything else you use on a daily/hourly basis are nominations for any diaper bag. I tend toward leaving most of this home with the exception of the first three which have a separate bag in the car in case the ones already with baby in baby's car seat need to be changed.
   
   
5. Meds - I know, you thought I was done after the last one but I'm not. At least at our house, medication is an important addition to our diaper bag. Again, we place these items in a zip top bag inside the diaper bag so they are always with me and easy to find. Our list of meds includes an inhaler (or three), BENADRYL (children's and adult), EpiPen, and adult pain killer. Yes, this takes up a good part of my diaper bag but if I don't take them ... well of course someone needs them.

Seaside Christmas by Stacy Claflin + Giveaway

  Seaside Christmas by Stacy Claflin He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink? Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor. When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about. If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.

  Meet the Hunter brothers of Kittle Falls… The Seaside Hunters novels are a series of contemporary sweet romances. They’re set in the beach town of Kittle Falls, following the Hunter brothers as they make their way back to their hometown and find the loves they couldn’t elsewhere. Each book is a standalone.

   


Author Stacy Claflin I don’t stick to a single genre in my writing, reading, or viewing. My favorite shows include Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Pretty Little Liars, Lost Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time. I've been writing and telling stories for as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story telling would get me into trouble because I would try to convince others that my stories were real. When I'm not busy writing, I like spending time with my family and friends. I also educate my kids from home.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

  $50 Book Blast Giveaway Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 12/20/15

 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

This or That + Giveaway

It's time for another great giveaway at Kerrific! With Christmas on the way we are excited to be giving away a $25 gift card to our very own Kerrific Children's & Maternity Boutique. This makes a great stocking stuffer for kids of all ages or for mom and dad. Entering is simple, just use the form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Now that you've entered here at Kerrific make sure you hop along to all the other great blogs gathered by The Mommy Island, The Kids Did It, and The Review Wire to see what great prizes they have to offer just in time for the holidays. Happy hopping!

#BrickSwag for LEGO Lovers!

Do you have a LEGO lover in your house? If so, this is going to be perfect for you to keep the inspiration flowing and achieve master-builder status!

BrickSwag is box full of LEGO-themed merchandise that arrives in the mail just for your builder. It even arrives with their name on the package.

Use this code for an additional 20% off your membership: FAM20 (valid until 11/30).

Every month, your red brick-shaped box arrives packed with official LEGO bricks you keep - never clone brands, an exclusive LEGO-themed T-shirt in any size, Build Magazine packed with interviews and building ideas, custom trading cards, inspirational posters, and more.

This is a definite hot pick this holiday season, and we have it for you now at the best price. Last year, memberships sold out before December so now is the time to lock in for this holiday season.

Go over to brickswag.com, choose your plan and use code FAM20 for your extra 20% savings!

Happy building!

PS - Got questions about BrickSwag? Send our friends there an email at info@brickbuildersclub.com

Coobie for Life!

Coobie Seamless Bras are ultra comfortable and versatile without sacrificing style. These affordable, stylish bras are seamless, one-size (comfortably fits 32A through 36D), available in 10+ styles and 50+ fashion colors and patterns. There is also a full size that fits 38-42D. They are by far the most comfortable bras I've ever tried and are perfect for moms!

Violet Love Headbands are no-slip no-headache headbands that are perfect to wear for yoga, pilates, or just as a stylish accessory. They are made from Premium quality fabrics that are buttery soft and super comfy.

Save 30% on any order of Coobie Seamless Bras or Violet Love Headbands at
www.shopcoobie.com and www.violetloveheadbands.com
Promotion code: USFG30

UPDATE: I just love my Coobie Bra! In fact, I loved the first one so much that I have since replaced my entire bra selection with Coobie. They are great for everyday wear and give me enough lift to be great for public. They also work wonderfully for nursing. You have to try one!

Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway! Over $500 Value!

 Hosted by Centsable Steals Co-Hosted by MomJunky

Sponsored by Lelo, Vera Mona, Bella Bundles, Wristy Buddy, Tottigo, Blue Baby Bum, Baby Comfy Care, Zooligans, Baby Tooth Album, Menaji, Wendell August, and Just Think Toys


Just in time for the Holidays! Win the perfect holiday gift basket filled with goodies perfect for both Mom and baby this Holiday season. Total retail value over $500!

Check out my Holiday Gift Guide to see some of the awesome prizes in action!

Giveaway starts 11/20-12/14

Open to U.S. Residents

Must be 18+

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond or forfeits the prize.This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media.All participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment.All entries are optional. Void where prohibited by law

Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop

Stocking stuffers can either be the easiest, or hardest, thing to find this time of year. I think it depends on the child but I know I didn't help my plight when I bought my kids stockings as I got really big ones (yes new moms, think small when you're buying). This year I am excited to be participating in this Stocking Stuffer Giveaway Hop,put together by The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It, to help all the moms and dads find the perfect gift ideas for their families and hopefully win a few to make life a little simpler.

As our prize here at Kerrific we are excited to be giving away a copy of The Gumby Show: The Complete 50’s Series courtesy of NCircle Entertainment. his beloved television series featuring the legendary clay characters, Gumby and Pokey, is now available in a two disc season set with tons of amazing bonus features and extras.

Gumby and Pokey, television's legendary clay characters, live one great fantasy after another in a timeless world of magic and wonder. This fun-loving duo can dive into any book for adventures near and far, from Toyland to the Wild West, to the moon and back. Gumby, an everyman hero, who captivates our hearts, always leaves a place better than how he found it. As the theme song says, “If you’ve got a heart, then Gumby’s a part of you.”
For the first time ever, the complete Gumby Show has been remastered from its original camera rolls and soundtracks—with the brilliant colors and full-length formats as first aired in the 1950s. These imaginative, surrealistic, stop motion animated masterpieces will mesmerize children and adults of all ages.

To win this fun collection please enter using the form below. Once you're done entering here make sure you hop along to all the other participating blogs to see what they have to offer. Good luck!!

Entry-Form

Sweet Holiday Memories Giveaway

The holidays are fast approaching and that means it's time to make more great memories with family and friends. Many of my favorite memories occurred during the holiday times and this year we are excited to be making more fabulous memories with a new addition to the family. One thing we don't want to happen during this festive season is to deal with messes but unfortunately that is something that tends to happen. This year I am fighting the mess with Genesis 950 and loving it!

Genesis 950 was initially created for printers to clean ink spills. It is a surfactant based cleaner that works with water to make stains water soluble. In doing so, it allows the bonds of the stain to break apart, and in turn lift the stain. Over time, printers were complaining that they were running out of Genesis 950 too fast. Eventually, they discovered the employees of these printers were sneaking the 950 from work to their homes. It turned out that 950 didn't just remove ink, but removed paint stains, food spills and pet stains. It is also an amazing carpet cleaner.

We have had the opportunity to use Genesis 950 multiple times over the last month at our house and I haven't found anything that it doesn't remove yet. Our clean up has included sick kids, work stains, and a multitude of other things. I can already tell that it will be near the very top of my go to list of cleaners.

Today I am excited to be able to give one Kerrific reader a chance to try this amazing product for themselves. Genesis 950 will be giving away one gallon of cleaner with a bonus spray bottle. That's a $42 value! Good luck & Happy Cleaning!

Entry-Form

Now that you've entered here at Kerrific make sure you hop on along to all the other blogs that LeahSay’s Views and Planet Weidknecht have gathered and see what great giveaways they have to offer!

$100+ Meeno Babies Giveaway!

It's time for another great giveaway here at Kerrific. Today I am so excited to offer my readers such a fantastic prize package! One lucky person is going to win over $100 worth of Meeno Babies products! Entering is easy, just use the form. Good luck!

Sponsored By: Meeno Babies

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Co-Hosted By:

My Silly Little Gang

Coupons and Freebies Mom

Green Grandma

A big "Thank You!" to my sponsor, amazing co-hosts, and all the wonderful bloggers who are participating in this giveaway! Thanks for all that you do!

1 Lucky Winner Will Receive:

Over $100 worth of products from Meeno Babies! *~*~*~  Check out my review of Billee The Goat, HERE! *~*~*

Open To US and must be 18+ to enter Giveaway Dates ~ 11/10 12AM EST through 11/24 11:59PM EST

Good Luck! We love it if you like us on Facebook!

Entry-Form

Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com. 

Home & Away + Giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Home and Away: A World War II Christmas Story by Dean Hughes Norma Hayes has always tried to make Christmas special for her family, but this year it is going to be difficult. Money is tight, and wartime rationing is taking its toll as well. Harder still, her oldest son, Glen, is on the front lines of the battle in Europe. Glen Hayes wants nothing more than to be home for Christmas. He holds a sprig of lavender in his pocket. The scent reminds him of his mother. The memory of home may be the only thing that is keeping him alive and sane during the horrors of war. Dennis Hayes is sixteen and longs to see his older brother again. He also longs to have a relationship with his father, but most important, Dennis is determined to buy something special for his mother this Christmas--the one gift he feels certain she deserves. So many families have had their hopes dashed in World War II. Will the Hayes family make it through?

Amazon * Deseret Book

Praise for Home and Away ''It's 1944 and teenager Dennis Hayes longs to join his older brother Glen, who is fighting in Europe..When his family receives word that Glen has been wounded, Dennis realizes that going to war is not so glamorous. Christmas isn't the same without Glen, but the Hayes family members hope and pray that they'll be reunited soon. Hughes's faith-filled, old-fashioned story feels like it could have been written during the period in which it takes place.'' --Library Journal ''Home and Away is far and away the best story I have read this year. Awesome and moving.'' --bestselling author, Obert Skye

Author Dean Hughes Dean Hughes is a bestselling and prolific writer who published his hundredth book in 2014. He holds a bachelor's degree from Weber State College and master's degree and PhD from the University of Washington. He has attended post-doctoral seminars at Stanford and Yale Universities and taught English at Central Missouri State University and Brigham Young University.

Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/30/15 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanksgiving Blessings Giveaway Hop + A Unique Baby

Do you have a unique child? I know I have five of them. Isn't it amazing how five children, with the same two parents, can be so very different. They like different things. They have different personalities. They have different health problems. Life is always an adventure with children and there's never any telling what a new day will bring.

Today I am excited to announce that your unique blessing has a chance to win $5,000 and a year supply of store brand formula. You can find all the details and submit your photo entry here but before you go, scroll down to enter our very own giveaway for a $30 Visa gift card provided by Store Brand Formula as part of the Thanksgiving Blessings Giveaway Hop. Just use the form below to enter. Good luck! 

Entry-Form

Store Brand Formula’s Unique Baby Sweepstakes 

When it comes to infant formula, many factors will help make the decision of what’s best for your baby, but the name on the container should not be one of them! 

What most moms don’t know is that the FDA strictly regulates infant formula to keep little ones safe, so store brand infant formulas, like Walmart’s Parent’s Choice and Target’s Up and Up, are nutritionally comparable to national brands like Enfamil® and Similac® and meet FDA standards, at a much lower cost to your family. 

So essentially, the brand of formula you use is not unique, but of course your baby is unique. To shine the spotlight on the most important part of the formula equation: your baby, Store Brand Formula is launching a “Unique Baby” Photo Sweepstakes in which the winner will receive $5,000 AND a year supply of Store Brand Formula. Every baby is unique. Show us how YOUR baby is unique. We’re looking for funny, silly, odd, crazy unique baby photos. I

How to Enter 

To enter the Store Brand Formula Unique Baby Sweepstakes, simply visit http://bit.ly/1Fd2i6y and follow the photo submission guidelines and the on-screen instructions to complete the online entry form. All entries must be submitted between September 28, 2015 – November 5, 2015. 

Limit one (1) entry per person, per day for the duration of the Sweepstakes 

One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 and a one (1) year supply of the winner’s choice of Store Brand Baby Formula. Five (5) First Prize winners will receive $200 and a one (1) year supply of the winner’s c choice of Store Brand Baby Formula.

This hop has been coordinated by Planet Weidknecht and LeahSay's Views. Make sure you hop along to all the other participating blogs to check out all the other great prizes!

 

Clutch: A Novel + Giveaway

 I love to read! I know, some of you are going "duh" but some of you may not know that about me. I will ready just about anything and today I am excited to be participating in the Books I'm Grateful I Read Giveaway Hop so I can share an amazing book with you.

Clutch is the laugh-out-loud, chick lit story that chronicles the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson. This single, purse designer, goes through a series of unsuccessful romantic relationships she compares to various styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc. With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to stand up for the handbag style that embodies what she ultimately wants – the “Clutch” or someone to hold onto.

I just loved this story. I am by no means a collector of handbags but I loved the comparisons that were drawn and got a good laugh from the fact that I have compared old boyfriends to different inanimate objects. Come on, you know you've done it too. It's fun!

Because I know this book will give you lots of laughs I'm excited to be hosting a giveaway. The winner will receive an e-copy of the book and a beautiful designer wristlet (pictured below) from Stephanie Dawn. Entering is easy, just use the form below. And once you're done entering here, make sure you head on over to all the other great participating blogs to find even more great reads and giveaways!

Entry-Form

Bulu Box for YOU!

The perfect partner in the pursuit of a healthier you, Bulu Box is like having a personal trainer and a nutritionist as a best friend. Each month, a box of healthy discoveries is shipped right to your door for just $10. You learn about that month's 4-5 premium samples, try each one and see what fits into your individual healthy lifestyle. For sharing your opinions on each month's samples through a quick survey, we will give you 50 Rewards Points (that's $5!) to use in our shop to get more of your favorites. Get a 3 Month Subscription for just $15 (regularly $30)! at Bulu Box - Use code WOWZA 

A Box for Mom

Ecocentric Mom is a subscription box discovery service created just for moms. As a mom-owned business, we know how busy you are. As much as you care, you don't have time to research and shop for the healthiest and best products for yourself and your family. Each month, we will introduce you to brands and products that we know use only the best ingredients and none of the worst. You'll receive home care items, kid-friendly snacks, wellness and green beauty items that we think are both useful and fun. Plus, every box has a "keeper" item that you will use again and again rather than 'use up'- what's more eco than that? 

Subscribers choose between the pregnancy, mom & baby, and mom subscription box, and switch to the next box when they are ready. The pregnancy box features pregnancy care items, as well as items to help you prep for the big arrival - and doesn't contain anything that is potentially harmful to your growing bump. The mom and baby box includes goodies for the new mom and her little, and is a great solution to navigate the demands new mommyhood from your sleep-deprived fog. The mom box is mostly about pampering you, mom, and a little bit about helping you pamper your family. 

Your Ecocentric Mom subscription is about more than helping you be "green" or be a mom - it's about making you feel special each month. We think it's time someone takes care of mom for a change!

My readers get to save! New subscribers will receive a 3 month subscription for $50 using code USFamily!

Olde Westport Spice

Online specialty Food Company stands the test of time - Spice Company creates custom spice blends, sesonings and dry soups. Olde Westport Spice & Trading Company is a 33-year-old spice manufacturer that is still going strong. This online company operates a small plant in Goodland, Kansas, and knows a thing or two about spices, seasonings and soups. This family owned and operated company was originally founded in the Kansas City area and has stayed true to its mission of making custom spice blends for main meal dishes and appetizers as well as nearly 20 varieties of dry soups. 

Olde Westport's spice blends and seasonings include Italian, Cajun, Taco, Fajita, Chili, Jalapeno, Beef Sauce, Salsa, Garlic and many more. All of the products use quality ingredients for a balanced flavor that compliments meats, pastas and vegetables. The company also invented dry soup mixes that are simple and easy to make including Antonio's Minestrone, Country-Style Creamy Potato, Chipotle Black Bean, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese, Kansas City Steak & Ale, Gold Coast Garlic Pasta Alfredo, Mesa Flats Chicken Enchilada, New Orleans Red Bean & Rice, Southwestern Tortilla, White Chili Soup and more. Olde Westport Spice and Trading Co. is owned and operated by Bill and Judy Petersen, who along with their daughter, Ann Myers, also own and run a restaurant (Westport Grill) in Goodland featuring the products. Bill first custom created all of the spices and seasonings in the kitchen of his home. Today the company has a manufacturing facility where Bill still researches and develops new recipes and dishes for future products. For more information or to place an order, please visit www.oldewestportspice.com or call 1-800-537-6470. 

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI SPICE BLEND - This championship spice has helped chili creators win 12 state and national championships throughout the years and all over the US! But what is most important to us about our Olde Westport Chili Spice Blend is that our customers love to use it in their chili whether it's for a national championship cook-off challenge or simply for their own family in their cozy kitchen on a cold winter's night. We've heard from countless customers that our attention to detail and quality is what makes this chili spice blend stand out above the competitors. We know you might put beans in your chili or maybe you add apples and sausage or perhaps you have a special recipe that is top secret but starts with thick-cut bacon... however you concoct your chili we hope you'll try our chili spice blend. 

GOLD COAST GARLIC SHAKE - Gold Coast Garlic Shake spice blend is truly one of those special blends of garlic, herbs and spices that our customers use in sour cream dips, sprinkle over steamed vegetables, fresh vegetables from your garden, garlic mashed potatoes or steak on the grill. There are more than 50 recipes in the Olde Westport Gold Coast Garlic Cookbook that will give you lots of ideas for quick simple meals with that high-end restaurant flavor. A garlic experience you will never forget. Check out the Olde Westport web site for a few recipes and placing orders.

Quantum Scale + Giveaway

Sponsored By: Quantum Scale

The Scale: With this scale, you can either have it show your weight or the weight you've lost or gained. Now that's my kind of scale. I don't ever want to see how much I actually weigh - it's just not my personality - but I do like to know if I'm going up or down. Features:

• 400-pound weight capacity
• Large color LCD display
• 6 person weight tracking
• diet day counter
• once a day lock-out mode
• smiley face icon shows up upon weight loss

The Giveaway Open to US residents, 18+ Prize: One lucky winner will win a Quantum scale, winner chooses the color they want Runs: 10/21- 11/4 You can do as many entries as you like on the Giveaway Tool below. Good luck!  

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: This blog and any participating blogs did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. The disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sweet & Sassy Anthology: Castle Collection + Giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

Readers will be delighted with five sweet, romance novellas in Sweet & Sassy: Castle Collection. In this charming anthology, you will fall in love again and again. Dangerous Truth by Cindy M. Hogan All By My Selfie by Jo Noelle A Savage Ghost by Donna K. Weaver The Ghost of Dunlow Manor by Paige Timothy Rose of Sherwood by Kaye P. Clark

DANGEROUS TRUTH Olivia loves everything about Belgium. So far, her humanitarian trip has gone perfectly--that is, until she sees a picture of a man she thinks is her father in the newspaper. The father who abandoned her family nine years ago without a word. She tries to forget she ever saw his photo. He's forgotten about her, after all. But soon it's apparent that she can't leave without knowing what happened. Armed with years of hurt and the help of a gorgeous French photographer, she decides to confront him and his secrets once and for all. Unfortunately, her father seems determined to keep those secrets hidden. . . and Olivia is one of them.

ALL BY MY SELFIE While on vacation at McLeod Castle in Scotland, Gwen Mackenzie has nightly dreams of an ancient warrior bound by a curse. During the day, she sees Niall, nicknamed #ScottishBoyfriend. Oh, and can that man rock a kilt! As she gets to know him, she realizes that Niall is the warrior from her dreams, cursed to live as a ghost for the past five hundred years, to see life around him but never sense any of it—except Gwen.

A SAVAGE GHOST Lia Savage reluctantly puts her dream of opening a dessert boutique on hold to help her dad remodel a castle he’s inherited in Washington State. Soon, a specter targets her younger sister. Lia enlists the help of Coop Montgomery, the head gardener and her former crush. As they search together for a way to rid the castle of its ghost, the romance she used to dream about with him kindles. But Lia’s gentle giant means to stay in Washington while she’s determined to return to California. She must find the courage to face both the ghost and her future. With Coop. Or without him.

THE GHOST OF DUNLOW MANOR Bestselling author Alexis St. John needs an escape, and Nate, her personal assistant, thinks that a trip to a real castle in England will be just the thing. What neither of them planned on, though, was to encounter an actual ghost. Lady Catherine Dunlow hates the idea of sharing her castle with tourists and does everything she can to chase them out, much to the amusement of her roguish suitor. But when her two newest guests stumble upon a mystery surrounding her death, she decides to let them stay. With an eternal fate in the balance, Nate and Alexis must move quickly to bring the killer to light before Catherine is trapped forever.

ROSE OF SHERWOOD Lady Rosamund, Baroness of Ravenswood Manor, is a destitute widow, imprisoned in Nottingham Castle. When the prince declares she must marry the ruthless man who had seized Ravenswood, she escapes with the help of a band of outlaws to Sherwood Forest. Her first love, a battle-worn knight, promises to help her find safety at a convent. Confused and afraid, her heart yearns for love. But are the risks too high?

Amazon

About the Authors Cindy M. Hogan is inspired by the unpredictable teenagers she teaches. More than anything she loves the time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning their next party. Most of all, she loves to laugh.

Jo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also lived in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids. She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and goes hiking in the nearby mountains. Oh, and she’s two people, Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team.

Donna K. Weaver: A wife, mother, grandmother, Harry Potter geek, Navy brat, Army veteran, and karate black belt. Donna is an avid cruiser, having sailed the Pacific five times. She’s lived in South Korea, the Philippines, Germany, and many US states. She and her husband raised six children and currently have nine grandchildren.

Paige Timothy has been writing for as long as she can remember… and probably before that, too, because her memory gets spotty at a certain point. She loves watching romantic comedies, blushes when the characters do something embarrassing, and sighs in all the right places.

Kaye P. Clark was born in New York City, grew up in southern California and raised her family living on remote cattle ranches in Arizona. She now makes her home in Idaho where she works part-time at the county library and teaches art to young children. She’s a mother and grandmother with a very patient husband who puts up with her passion for writing.  

Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/1/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Parenting - Halloween Edition

It's that fun, family time of year again. We're all getting excited for a night of the fun and scary next week. With that in mind I figured it was about time to share a few tips that I've learned about how to keep your kids' Halloween fun and safe.

The Costume - First off, the costume. To help keep mom sane there are lots of great DIY costume ideas out there. I recommend finding one that is a light color so that children are easy to see as you are out Trick or Treating. With the costume you'll also want to make sure you have a cute candy bag. Currently Albertson's has some really cute Charlie Brown bags that are perfect and they are free with purchase making them even better for your Halloween fun!

The Pumpkins - Carving pumpkins is a family tradition for many of us and one that can be very fun. To make it safer for kids, let them help with things like spreading out the newspaper (to keep it clean) rather then using the knives. We let our kids choose how their pumpkin will look by having them draw the face they want on a piece of paper and then it's the adult's job to transfer their face to the pumpkin. Another tip is to use glow sticks to light your pumpkins. This is a great way to include some fun color and avoid the hazard of an open flame around the children.



The Plan - Before you go out to trick or treat do your research. Oftentimes, our neighborhood will designate a specific day, or even specific hours, for trick or treating. We have found that it's always fun to see everyone else while you're out so planning things like this - or even going to a community sponsored trunk-or-treat can be really fun with small children.

The Food - Yes, Halloween and candy seem to go together but to help keep your kids happy and healthy this Halloween plan ahead to make sure they get a good dinner before they dive in to their sugary bounty. We just love crock pot meals any night of the week but they are absolutely amazing for Halloween. This year we will be doing traditional chili and cornbread - all in the crock pots. It's simple and I can put it in prior to getting all the kids in their costumes and be happy knowing that whenever we return from our trip in the cold it will be ready for us. Nothing better then that!

When Things Don't Go As Planned - Whether it's too cold, you have sick family, or something else goes wrong there are always those nights and Halloween is no exception. When you run into problems there are lots of other fun things to do on Halloween too. When we've run into this problem in the past we have turned our night into a pajama night with a good movie. Movies, games and yummy treats can make even a Halloween at home fun for everyone. You can view the trailer to the new Peanuts Movie here to help get your Halloween fun juices flowing. Just make sure while you're hanging out you enter to win the Charlie Brown Sweepstakes to help the magic last all fall!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Safeway. The opinions and text are all mine.

A Rare Nativity (32 pages) by Sam Besson + Giveaway

Blog Tour Schedule

We have all heard the song The Twelve Days of Christmas, and we have all seen the traditional Christmas crèche. Now, author Sam Beeson and photographers Nina and Terral Cochran combine these two classic Christmas icons to create A Rare Nativity. Upon reading the first lines of the book, it is clear the narrator holds a bitter grudge as he sends his enemy crude and discarded gifts: On the first night of Christmas I gave my enemy a briar from a tanglewood tree. On the second night of Christmas I gave my enemy two rotten eggs. Night after night the gifts pile up shards of glass, rusty nails, gnarled twigs, and more. What the narrator s enemy decides to do with each of these odious gifts is nothing less than a Christmas miracle. The photographic creation of the rare nativity at the end of the book is both a work of art and a wonder to behold.

Amazon 

About the Author Sam Beeson gives himself annual writing assignments. In 2005, he wrote a poem a day. In 2007, he wrote about his wife every day. In 2015, each day he wrote a handwritten letter to someone new. Sam teaches high school English and loves reading the journals of his ancestors.

  $25 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/11/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lord Fenton's Folly by Josi Kilpack

Blog Tour Schedule

Lord Fenton is a gambler, a dandy, and a flirt-and he must marry or else he will be disinherited, stripped of his wealth and his position. He chooses Alice Stanbridge for two simple reasons: he once knew her as a young girl, and she is the least objectionable option available to him. However, Alice has harbored feelings for Fenton since their first meeting ten years ago, and she believes his proposal is real. When she discovers it is not, she is embarrassed and hurt. However, a match with the most-eligible bachelor in London would secure not only her future but that of her family as well. Determined to protect herself from making a fool of herself a second time, Alice matches Lord Fenton wit for wit and insult for insult as they move toward a marriage of convenience that is anything but a happy union. Only when faced with family secrets that have shaped Fenton's life does he let down his guard enough to find room in his heart for Alice.

Amazon * Deseret Book

  Excerpt Fenton groaned and put his saucer back on the tray, making an instantaneous decision that eased his mind quite a lot. To look at every woman he met as a potential wife was irritating, and after only two weeks he was quite tired of it. Perhaps the solution was to orchestrate a match that would not lay all aspects of matrimony at his feet all at once. Perhaps treating it as a business arrangement would help it to be exactly that, thereby freeing him from all the discomfiting realities he was not yet prepared to face. "I leave for Fentonview on Tuesday and shan't be back for a week. Courting is such a boring prospect, and you yourself said that to become infatuated with anyone might become a complication." He paused, considered one last time what he was going to say next, and decided he felt as good about it as could be expected. "You like Alice Stanbridge and feel she would make a good wife for me?" Lady Chariton looked confused and perhaps a bit concerned. "I do, but-" "Then that is good enough for me," Fenton said, rising to his feet and smiling broadly at his mother, who stared back at him in surprise. "I do find her appealing and what's more she is not a silly little thing without a practical thought in her head." His mother's eyes widened and her eyebrows rose upon her forehead. Fenton struck a pose of consternation, with his thumb and forefinger on his chin as he looked toward the window a moment, then nodded crisply and turned back to his mother who still looked shocked by his pronouncement. "Yes, I think that Alice Stanbridge is exactly what I should like in a wife, and so I shall see to it before I leave for Hampshire-I see no reason to wait until Michaelmas and might as well get it over with." He leaned in and kissed his mother's hand. "Thank you for your help, Mama. I shall let you know how she responds to my proposal."

Author Josi Kilpack Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and never stopped. Sheep's Clothing won the Whitney award for Mystery/Suspense in 207 and Wedding Cake, book twelve in the Sadie Hoffmiller Culinary Mystery series won in 2014. Josi was also the Best of State winner in Fiction for 2012. Josi currently lives in Willard, Utah, with her husband, children and super-cute - but not very friendly - cat.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Newsletter

  $25 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon eGift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 10/29/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com eGift Card or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway