"Audrey Bunny" by Angie Smith - Book Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

***This is a sponsored post,  I was given the product(s) mentioned in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own!

I love reading to my kids.  It's prime time for snuggles!  Recently I was given a beautiful book to review with my children entitled "Audrey Bunny" by Angie Smith.  It's a beautiful story about a toy bunny who is never picked because she has a mark on her chest.  One day she is picked and she does everything she can so that the girl never sees the mark and thinks she isn't perfect.  This is a very well written children's book and my kids have asked to read it numerous times.

 

Synopsis:

From best-selling women’s author Angie Smith (I Will Carry You, Mended) comes this sweet children’s book about a stuffed animal named Audrey Bunny who fears her imperfections make her unworthy of a little girl’s love. She'll learn the truth soon enough, and young readers will learn that everyone is special and wonderfully made by God.

[Also included]: The Parent Connection (last page of the book) shares discussion questions and activities reinforcing God's love for us.

Angie Smith is the wife of Todd Smith (lead singer of Dove Award winning group Selah), best-selling author of Mended, I Will Carry You, and What Women Fear, and one of the most popular speakers and blog writers in the country. She holds a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University and lives with her husband and daughters in Nashville, TN.

Written by: Angie Smith

Publisher: B&H Publishing

Hardcover with jacket:  32 pages 

$14.99

BUY IT:

You can purchase "Audrey Bunny" by Angie Smith right here for $14.99!

 WIN IT:

 

Thanks to the publicist, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a copy of "Audrey Bunny" by Angie Smith!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

"Alone Yet Not Alone" By Tracy Lenininger Craven Book Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

**This is a sponsored post.  I was given the product(s) mentioned in exchange for this review.

Last month I received a great book to review.  It is a faith based novel entitled: Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom by Tracy Leininger Craven.  I read this book with my daughter Bella and we loved this truly endearing story.  It is based on a true story of a family that is separated in the cross fires of the French and Indian War.  This book really humbled me and made the problems in my life seem small.  Bella really related with the older sister Barbara.  I would highly recommend this book.  It is an excellent read.  It's a great one for tweens and teens to read as well.  I love that there are discussion questions in the back.  Bella and I enjoyed the discussion and it was nice for her to raise questions about the story.  I was pleased to find out that a movie is being made from the basis of this novel!

 

This movie will hit theaters on September 27, 2013!  You can find more information about the film here.  You can also view the trailer below.

   

About Alone Yet Not Alone (novelization):

Settled in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, deep within America's new frontier, the Leininger family celebrates the blessings of a beautiful homestead and bountiful harvest. That is, until tragedy strikes with the beginning of the French and Indian War and the devastating raid known as the Penn's Creek Massacre. 

The lives of this simple, God-fearing family are forever altered when Barbara and Regina, two young sisters, are carried away by the Delaware tribe. Driven by their faith in God and the powerful bonds of family, Barbara and Regina hold firmly to the belief that they are never alone, even in their darkest hour, and that they will be reunited again. 

Rich in historical details, Alone Yet Not Alone is an inspirational, true story of a family caught in the cross fire of the French and Indian War. 

About The Author: 

Tracy Leininger Craven loves history and retelling real-life stories in her historical fiction books. She also loves spending her free time in the great outdoors with her husband David and their four children.

BUY IT:

You can purchase Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom by Tracy Leininger Craven on Amazon for only $8.48!

WIN IT:

Thanks to Flyby Promotions, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a paperback copy of the book Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom by Tracy Leininger Craven! Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine eBook Review and Giveaway (5 Winners) - CLOSED!

As many of you know by now, I am a huge fan of Crystal Paine's website: Money Saving Mom!  I  reviewed her last book and was thrilled to receive a copy of her new eBook to review: 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life.  This is a wonderful book!  I read it in two days and have been referring back to it daily to reach my goals for that particular day.  Why 21 days, you may ask?  Well, experts say that it takes 21 days of a particular activity to make it a habit.  This can be a good or bad habit.  Crystal Paine's book has helped me to make some changes in my life and I'm really excited about it!

All of us at some point or another have wished that we had more discipline in our lives.  I wish I could make myself exercise on a more regular basis, or keep my house in better order.  I had read some of her posts on this series on her website and was motivated to start making some changes in my life.  For instance, I would go to bed at night - many nights - without finishing the dinner dishes.  I would make excuses that "I am pregnant" and was "too tired", etc.  I could have done it those nights though.  When I didn't finish cleaning up the kitchen after dinner the night before, I'd wake up to a messy kitchen and feel defeated the next day.  I'd have to make Bella's lunch amongst the mess, and then I'd be behind for the day.  Well, I've started implementing a rule that all dinner dishes must be clean and put away that night and my mornings have been much better!  This has even motivated me to get my daughter's lunch packed the night before and in the mornings I no longer feel behind - but caught up or even ahead for the day!  This has put me in a better mood for the day and it seems that I accomplish more since I feel caught up!

This eBook - 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life is a lot like her series from Money Saving Mom, however she has added more to it and it's just nice to have it all in one place.  Now through October 26th, this book is on sale for only $0.99!  After that the price will be $4.99.  Take it from me, you NEED this book!  I plan on reading it multiple times and implementing more changes to make my life run more smoothly!

What Exactly is 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life?

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life is not going to fix all of your discipline problems in less than a month, and if I claimed I’d be able to do that, I’d be lying.

After you have finished reading this book and gone through your first 21 Days, you will have implemented one or two small changes and created a habit of discipline in one area of your life
You will also have one completed “Mega Project”. Completing your first Mega Project is so important to your continued success in creating discipline habits. It will propel you forward and motivate you like nothing else.

This book starts you off quickly with homework so you cannot put off making changes for when you are done reading. It also offers straightforward, to-the-heart advice that will help you change habits for a lifetime, not just a week. “I am the problem, but I am also the solution.”~Maribeth

What You Can Expect to Learn From This Book:

• How to prioritize and name your goals so that you can accomplish them faster than ever.
• How to expose the obstacles that will come up, and then make a plan to conquer them.
• How to break up a goal that feels insurmountable into bite-sized pieces.
• How to stop making excuses and get the job done now — and then enjoy the rest of your day!
• How to put accountability in place to help you stay on task and motivated.

BUY IT:

Click here to purchase your copy of 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine.  Remember: now until October 26th, the price is only $0.99, after that the price will be $4.99 - still a bargain for such a great book!

WIN IT:

Thanks to Crystal Paine - "Money Saving Mom", FIVE lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy readers will win a copy of her eBook: 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life! Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it  on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally  and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.  

A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

  

Recently we received a wonderful book to review entitled: A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne.  Bella and I read this wonderful story together and both loved it!  It's about a set of twins celebrating their birthday by having a party at a special pet emporium.  The twins and their friends get to select their perfect pet pals with the help of Mr. Chapman, who discovers each child's love language to determine which pet would be perfect for each child.  This book is very interactive.  There were many things to find in the book - such as an insect on each page, different types of animals and more.  This book took us about 30 minutes to read, but Bella loved every minute of it!  A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne would make a great addition to your child's library!

Book Description:

This wonderfully imaginative children’s hardcover book by bestselling authors Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne, featuring four-color illustrations (with hidden details!) by Wilson Williams, Jr., will help children learn the importance of love. Based on Gary’s highly successful The 5 Love Languages®, A Perfect Pet for Peyton tells an entertaining and playful story of five children who each, with the help of Mr. Chapman and the unique pets at his special emporium, discover their own personal love language. Children and parents alike will experience firsthand the power of the love languages as they cuddle up and spend precious time together reading this book over and over again.

BUY IT:

You can purchase A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne on Amazon for only $11.55!

WIN IT:

Thanks to the publicist, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a hardcover copy of A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman and Rick Osborne!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter.

"Cooper and Me and the Military" by Monique and Alexa Peters Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

As you may remember, I've reviewed two books from the Copper and Me collection and now I'm happy to review a third entitled Cooper and Me and the Military by Monique and Alexa Peters!  This is a wonderful story about Cooper's best friend Trooper, a dog who served in the military.  Bella was very excited to receive the newest story in the Cooper and Me collection!  We read it as soon as we received it!  Although my children don't have any close relatives in the military, it is still very important for me to teach them about what these wonderful men and women do for our country.  This book talks about parents who are in the military and their children who miss them.  The illustrations are wonderful and drawn by Alexa Peters, an eleven year old girl.  Together she and her mother write the wonderful Cooper and Me stories.  My kids really enjoy these stories and your child will too!

More About Cooper and Me and the Military:

Meet Trooper, Cooper’s best friend, and learn how he was adopted by Gracie and Joe and their parents, who both serve in the military. Find out how this family stays close despite being separated.

A must-read during patriotic holidays and for anyone with friends and family in the military, this book helps children know, that even when loved ones aren’t with us, they still love us and think about us. This book, along with all the other books in the Cooper and Me series, includes these interactive features:

• A Special Memory Creation
• Life Lesson
• Connections
• Learning Together

BUY IT:

You can purchase Cooper and Me and the Military by Monique and Alexa Peters right here for only $12.99!

WIN IT:

Thanks to the publicist, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a hardcover copy of Cooper and Me and the Military by Monique and Alexa Peters!  Click "Read More" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

"The Good Daughters" by Joyce Maynard Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

I just finished reading a great book entitled The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard.   It is about two girls born on the exact same day in the same hospital - "birthday sisters".  This intriguing story follows the two girls: Ruth and Dana throughout their lives.  Their lives intersect many times throughout the story and you learn some twists in the end.  The author really pulled me into this story.  I could not put this book down and read it in only two days!  This is the first book I have read from Joyce Maynard, but now I am a huge fan and will be reading her other titles.

Ruth was born to Connie and Edwin Plank, and was raised on a farm.  Dana was born to Valerie and George Dickerson, two drifters who moved often to wherever their various projects took them.  Ruth was born in a stable loving home but never felt accepted by her mother.  Dana felt lost in her own world, living with two unstable parents.  One thing that they both loved was Ray, Dana's older brother.  This is such an intriguing story, one that I will be thinking about for a long time!


Book Synopsis:
They were born on the same day, in the same small New Hampshire hospital, into families that could hardly have been less alike.

Ruth Plank is an artist and a romantic with a rich, passionate, imaginative life. The last of five girls born to a gentle, caring farmer and his stolid wife, she yearns to soar beyond the confines of the land that has been her family's birthright for generations.

Dana Dickerson is a scientist and realist whose faith is firmly planted in the natural world. Raised by a pair of capricious drifters who waste their lives on failed dreams, she longs for stability and rootedness.

Different in nearly every way, Ruth and Dana share a need to make sense of who they are and to find their places in a world in which neither has ever truly felt she belonged. They also share a love for Dana's wild and beautiful older brother, Ray, who will leave an indelible mark on both their hearts.

Told in the alternating voices of Ruth and Dana, The Good Daughters follows these "birthday sisters" as they make their way from the 1950s to the present. Master storyteller Joyce Maynard chronicles the unlikely ways the two women's lives parallel and intersect-from childhood and adolescence to first loves, first sex, marriage, and parenthood; from the deaths of parents to divorce, the loss of home, and the loss of a beloved partner-until past secrets and forgotten memories unexpectedly come to light, forcing them to reevaluate themselves and each other.

Moving from rural New Hampshire to a remote island in British Columbia to the '70s Boston art-school scene, The Good Daughters is an unforgettable story about the ties of home and family, the devastating force of love, the healing power of forgiveness, and the desire to know who we are.
 
BUY IT:

You can purchase The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard on Amazon for only $10.00!

WIN IT:

Thanks to Harper Perennial, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a copy of The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

"The Money $aving Mom's Budget" by Crystal Paine Book Review!

I was more than thrilled to receive the email stating that I was chosen to receive a review copy of Crystal Paine's book: The Money $aving Mom's Budget!  I have been following along with Crystal's blog: Money Saving Mom for months and check it at least once or twice a day!  I just love her writing style and fabulous money saving advice!  Her blog also focuses on money and time saving recipes, getting your house organized, goal setting and much more!  Given the huge success of her blog, I knew her book was going to be great and when I found out that I would get an advanced copy I was ecstatic!  I called my sister as soon as I found out - she was just as excited about this book as I was!  Anyway, on to my review of this GREAT book...

In Crystal Paine's book, The Money $aving Mom's Budget, she first focuses on goal setting.  This makes sense to me because how do you know what you want to achieve without first sitting down to make a plan?  She encourages us to make goals and them break them down into "bite-sized pieces".  For instance, if my goal is to pay off a $600 credit card in 6 months, then I can break that amount into monthly and weekly increments.  It may sound difficult to come up with $600 extra in 6 months, but if I break it into $100 per month or $25 per week, that seems more attainable.  I realize the importance of goal setting, but since reading this book I've been taking it to a whole new level and it's really working for me!

This book is an invaluable resource for learning how to save money at the grocery store - with and without using coupons!  I know that many of you cringe at thinking of clipping coupons, but this book has lots of practical tips on how to save without clipping coupons.  Crystal Paine also teaches you how to make a budget and stick to it!  I of course have a budget, but sometimes we go over on our food budget.  With the tips and advice in The Money $aving Mom's Budget, I have a whole new outlook on saving money and have renewed my desire for reaching all of my financial goals, hopes and dreams!  This is a MUST READ!  I would recommend this book to anyone trying to learn how to budget their money and time more wisely!  I truly love this book and will revisit it many many times, for encouragement on my thrifty adventures!  I wish I would have had this book when I first got married, or maybe even when I ventured off to college!  Pre-order your copy today!

More About Crystal Paine:

Crystal Paine is a wife and homeschooling mom to three young children who has been writing on topics related to frugality for the last five years -- and living a frugal, simple and debt-free life since she was born. Her blog, MoneySavingMom.com, averages 80,000 to 100,000 visitors per day and over three million pageviews per month. Crystal was named one of Neilsen's 2009 Top 50 Power Moms and is widely known in the blogosphere as an money-saving expert. In addition to blogging, Crystal writes a weekly column for AOL's ParentDish.com. This column is featured on the homepage of AOL each Monday afternoon. Crystal has contributed to articles in Woman's Day magazine and All You magazine, as well as being mentioned on National Public Radio and CNN.com, in USA Weekend and Real Simple magazine and numerous other local newspapers and radio and television stations. MoneySavingMom.com has been featured in a number of published books, including: Typepad for Dummies, Point, Click and Save and Organized Simplicity. 


BUY IT:

You can pre-order The Money $aving Mom's Budget on Amazon for only $11.09!  NOTE: This book will be available on January 10, 2012 - perfect timing for your new year's goals for saving money!


Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for this review. No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: "Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop" Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

We have a new book/song to add to our family Christmas tradition this year!  It's called Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop and it's written by Michael Sheahan!  It is an adorable book that is a song called, you guessed it.. The Roof Top Hop!  The book comes with beautiful illustrations and a CD of two songs, that my kids just love!  The songs included are: The Roof Top Hop, Jingle Jangle Jingle All Night Long and the same two songs as instrumental versions.  There is also an instructional DVD that teaches you how to do the dance for The Roof Top Hop!  My kids, daycare kiddos and I had a blast learning how to do "The Roof Top Hop"!  This is a really fun book/CD/DVD to share with your family!  Are you looking for a new holiday tradition?  Get your kids "on the roof" with Santa as they learn to dance and sing "The Roof Top Hop"!


More About Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop:

It is not often you can say that your child is reading a book written by a NYPD Detective, but with Mr. Holidays Presents The Rooftop Hop that is exactly what they will be doing. The book is award winning, recently winning 2 Moonbeam Awards for Best Holiday Book and Best Book with Music/Theatrical and critically acclaimed.

For millions of people around the world, the love of reading was born with a Christmas story. Who can forget the first time we read-or had read to us-Dickens' A Christmas Carol or 'Twas the Night Before Christmas or one of the other classic stories that bring the season magically alive? At the same time, who can forget the delight we feel while singing Christmas songs and watching Holiday galas featuring wondrous dances?

That's the all-in-one idea behind the ultimate new Christmas package, Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop. Through the merry character of Mr. Holidays, award-winning singer-songwriter Michael Sheahan tells children an instantly classic new Christmas story , performs the title song on a sing-along CD and has his friend, Broadway's own Michael Balderrama of the hit Broadway show, In the Heights, teaches kids the new roof-top-hop dance steps, ones step at a time.

Lavishly illustrated by Douglas Wright, Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop storybook/CD/DVD package invites young readers to read, sing, and dance as they share a never-before-revealed secret about Santa. As Michael Sheahan proclaims, it's "hip-hop . . . be-bop . . . rock n' roll . . . that brings joy and happiness to every soul."

Michael Sheahan, a decorated retired NYPD detective, is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and musician. His love of celebrating the Holidays with his wife Barbara and three boys inspired him to create the character Mr. Holidays, along with an entire series of characters, songs, books, and dances that cherish the values, warmth, and traditions of each Holiday. Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop is the result of the collaboration of Finest Music, Finest Media, and Fine St. Records. Creatively working together, they provide this first book, CD, and DVD released as a all-in-one product by Finest Books. The book/CD/DVD package is a wonderful value at $19.99.

Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop is available on-line at www.MrHolidaysSongs.com, www.BarnesandNoble.com, www.Amazon.com &www.FinestEntertainmentStore.com

BUY IT:

You can purchase Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop by Michael Sheahan on Amazon for only $15.59!

Thanks to the publisher, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win an autographed copy of Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop by Michael Sheahan!  Click "Read more" and follow the Rafflecopter directions to enter.

2011 Holiday Gift Guide: The Color of Rain Book Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

I have just finished a very inspiring book entitled The Color of Rain: How Two Families Found Faith, Hope and Love in the Midst of Tragedy by Michael & Gina Spehn. It is the true story of two families brought together by tragedy when Gina's husband dies of cancer and Micheal's wife dies of cancer shortly after. The two families begin comforting one another since they both had the unthinkable happen to them. This story hits close to home for my husband because his mother passed away when he was only 9 years old. His father did remarry and has lived a happy life despite the great tragedy of his wife's death. I think that this book is a wonderful read and teaches us that even when the unthinkable happens, there is always hope of better days to come. This is a wonderful book and I think it would make an excellent holiday gift! I love getting books as gifts, since I LOVE to read! The Color of Rain was a book that I enjoyed reading! I really felt for the two families that have found love and happiness again after such a sad time.

Book Description:

This real-life Brady Bunch story is about what it means to endure the unthinkable---and still open one's heart to what's next. When two childhood friends die of cancer six weeks apart, the shared experience of loss brings their grieving spouses together. After months of late-night phone calls, family dinners, and countless dreams and tears, this unlikely pair builds a trust, a love, and a shared life. Told from alternating points of view, The Color of Rain illuminates the stepping-stones of healing that lead to a joyful new beginning for Michael and Gina Spehn and their five children. Like many who grieve, Michael and Gina had to choose to hope again. Along the way, they discovered that God can restore the darkest circumstances---and even from death, He can bring new life. Michael and Gina's gripping story of 'growing new hearts' will inspire readers not only to survive loss but also to receive the new courage, faith, and identity that God gives in the midst of tragedy.

***You can read more about the Authors on their website: www.michaelandgina.com

BUY IT:

You can purchase The Color of Rain by Michael & Gina Spehn on Amazon for only $14.09!

WIN IT:

One lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win their own copy The Color of Rain by Michael & Gina Spehn! (US Residents Only)

You MUST be a follower of Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect (located at the right) for your entry to count. And you MUST include your email address with each entry.

Mandatory Entry:

Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect. AND Tell me who you'd like to win this for ( yourself is fine!) (both combined = 1 entry)

That's all you have to do! But, if you'd like to receive extra entries you can:

• Follow Michael & Gina Spehn on Twitter here. (1 entry)
  
• Like Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Facebook here. (1 entry)
• Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Networked Blogs. (1 entry)
• Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Twitter here. (1 entry)
• Tweet this giveaway. (1 entry daily, include the link)
• Enter another Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy giveaway. (1 entry for each giveaway entered)
• Post the Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy button (located at the right) on your blog. (5 entries, leave me a link)
  

Please include your email address with EACH entry. If you don't have your email attached to your comment, I won't be able to contact you if you win! Post a separate comment for each entry (if it says 3 entries, post 3 separate comments.)

This giveaway ends November 23, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

* Lucky winner or winners will be selected through True Random Number Generator.* If your profile page does not show your email address, please include your email address in your comment. For example: adventuresofathriftymommy@gmail.com -- so that I may get in touch with you if you are selected as the giveaway winner. * Each giveaway winner has 48 hours to respond to my email about getting the awesome giveaway prize to him/her. If the winner does not reply to my email within 48 hours, I will choose another winner using the True Random Number Generator. * I do contact each winner via email

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for this review. No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours. Because I do not directly ship most giveaways from my home, I cannot be held liable for lost or not received products.

One Year Blogversary Event: Love and Capital by Mary Gabriel Review and Giveaway (3 Winners!) - CLOSED!

I have just had the pleasure of reading a wonderful book entitled Love and Capital by Mary Gabriel. Normally I don't read historical biographies, but this one intrigued me by reading other reviews and praise about this book. This is the story of Karl and Jenny Marx. The author researched their lives by many letters found written to and by the family. She translated them all into English and wrote this tale of love, deceit, and struggle. I found it very interesting and couldn't put it down. Karl Marx's works redefined our world after his death, and it was very interesting to learn of his life and family!

Book Description:

Brilliantly researched and wonderfully written, LOVE AND CAPITAL is a heartbreaking and dramatic saga of the family side of the man whose works would redefine the world after his death. Drawing upon years of research, acclaimed biographer Mary Gabriel brings to light the story of Karl and Jenny Marx's marriage. We follow them as they roam Europe, on the run from governments amidst an age of revolution and a secret network of would-be revolutionaries, and see Karl not only as an intellectual, but as a protective father and loving husband, a revolutionary, a jokester, a man of tremendous passions, both political and personal. In LOVE AND CAPITAL, Mary Gabriel has given us a vivid, resplendent, and truly human portrait of the Marxes-their desires, heartbreak and devotion to each other's ideals.

BUY IT:

You can purchase Love and Capital by Mary Gabriel on Amazon for $21.00.

WIN IT:

Thanks to Little, Brown and Company, three lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy readers will win a hardcover copy of Love and Capital by Mary Gabriel! (US Residents Only, No PO Boxes)

You MUST be a follower of Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect (located at the right) for your entry to count. And you MUST include your email address with each entry.

Mandatory Entry:

Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect. AND Tell me who you'd like to win this for. (both combined = 1 entry)

That's all you have to do! But, if you'd like to receive extra entries you can:

• Like Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Facebook here. (1 entry)
• Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Networked Blogs. (1 entry)
• Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Twitter here. (1 entry)
• Tweet this giveaway. (1 entry daily, include the link)
• Enter another Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy giveaway. (1 entry for each giveaway entered)
• Post the Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy button (located at the right) on your blog. (5 entries, leave me a link)
• Post the One Year Blogversary button (located at the right) on your blog. (5 entries, leave me a link)

Please include your email address with EACH entry. If you don't have your email attached to your comment, I won't be able to contact you if you win! Post a separate comment for each entry (if it says 3 entries, post 3 separate comments.)

This giveaway ends November 9, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

* Lucky winner or winners will be selected through True Random Number Generator.* If your profile page does not show your email address, please include your email address in your comment. For example: adventuresofathriftymommy@gmail.com -- so that I may get in touch with you if you are selected as the giveaway winner. * Each giveaway winner has 48 hours to respond to my email about getting the awesome giveaway prize to him/her. If the winner does not reply to my email within 48 hours, I will choose another winner using the True Random Number Generator. * I do contact each winner via email

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for this review. No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours. Because I do not directly ship most giveaways from my home, I cannot be held liable for lost or not received products.

Parenting Infants and Toddlers Without Going Nuts by Maria Marinakis Review and Giveaway! (3 Winners) - CLOSED!

I just finished reading a very informative parenting book entitled Parenting Infants and Toddlers Without Going Nuts by Maria M. Marinakis, Ed.M., CADC. As a mother of two and a childcare provider I sometimes have my moments of "What do I do with this child?" I also sometimes resort to yelling and I don't like this about myself. Maria M. Marinakis has worked as a child and family therapist for over 17 years and now enjoys giving motivational keynote speeches on parenting issues! Her book is phenomenal! It is such an easy read and gives great advice for behavior issues! She points out some of the most common parenting mistakes that may actually cause our kids' bad behavior. I learned a few things to work on with Sam that have made his behavior better lately. Praise is the key! Maria M. Marinakis stresses this in her book and actually includes an appendix for "Phrases for Praises." Now that I am praising him when he is being a good boy more frequently, he really is listening better!

Maria M. Marinakis will soon be releasing a book entitled 10 Minute Parenting - each chapter only takes 10 minutes to read. This is great, because if you are like me, you don't have a lot of time to sit and read because you are so busy being a parent! I am very excited for this book! If it's as great as Parenting Infants and Toddlers Without Going Nuts it will be a must read!

BUY IT:

You can purchase Parenting Infants and Toddlers Without Going Nuts by Maria M. Marinakis, Ed.M., CADC here for $14.97!

WIN IT:

Thanks to the author, three lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy readers will win a copy of Parenting Infants and Toddlers Without Going Nuts by Maria M. Marinakis, Ed.M., CADC! (US Residents Only)

You MUST be a follower of Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect (located at the right) for your entry to count. And you MUST include your email address with each entry.

Mandatory Entry:

Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect. AND Visit 10 Minute Parenting and leave a comment of something you learned. (both combined = 1 entry)

That's all you have to do! But, if you'd like to receive extra entries you can:

• Like 10 Minute Parenting on Facebook here. (1 entry)
  
• Like Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Facebook here. (1 entry)
• Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Networked Blogs. (1 entry)
• Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Twitter here. (1 entry)
• Tweet this giveaway. (1 entry daily, include the link)
• Enter another Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy giveaway. (1 entry for each giveaway entered)
• Post the Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy button (located at the right) on your blog. (5 entries, leave me a link)

Please include your email address with EACH entry. If you don't have your email attached to your comment, I won't be able to contact you if you win! Post a separate comment for each entry (if it says 3 entries, post 3 separate comments.)

This giveaway ends October 14, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

* Lucky winner or winners will be selected through True Random Number Generator.* If your profile page does not show your email address, please include your email address in your comment. For example: adventuresofathriftymommy@gmail.com -- so that I may get in touch with you if you are selected as the giveaway winner. * Each giveaway winner has 48 hours to respond to my email about getting the awesome giveaway prize to him/her. If the winner does not reply to my email within 48 hours, I will choose another winner using the True Random Number Generator. * I do contact each winner via email

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for this review. No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours. Because I do not directly ship most giveaways from my home, I cannot be held liable for lost or not received products.

Living The Thin Life By Elle Meyer Review

I realize that I talk a lot about how I'd like to lose weight. I'd love to look better in my clothing and feel better in my skin. Raising children does not leave very much time to put myself as a priority, but I think now is the time to make that change. I have just finished reading a wonderful book about maintaining a healthy weight for life entitled Living the Thin Life - Creative Ways to Maintain Your Weight for Life by Elle Meyer. It has so many great tips for maintaining a healthy weight. Not all of the tips will work for everyone, but it is packed full of tips that I think could work for me!

Elle Meyer, the author of this book is not a nutritionist, doctor or personal trainer. She is just a woman like you or me who had managed to lose weight an the keep it off (for 10 years now!) In this book she shares real life tips on eating, exercise, and motivation. Busy moms have a hard time sticking to a strict diet and exercise plan. This book helps to find the right plan for you so that you don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking about a diet – and instead can focus on your family!

This book also includes over 50 healthy and tasty recipes! Hubby and I are trying to eat healthier since I am trying to lose weight and he got the bad news from the doctor that he has high cholesterol. We have already tried 3 recipes from this book that taste really great! Normally I will make mashed potatoes as a side dish to many of my chicken and beef recipes. In the book Living the Thin Life - Creative Ways to Maintain Your Weight for Life, Elle Meyer included a recipe for Mashed Cauliflower. My family and I love cauliflower, so I thought why not? We all tried it and thought it was pretty good! Okay, maybe not quite as good as my unhealthy, full of fat mashed potatoes, but still they are a good substitute! If we can substitute foods like this more frequently, we will end up being a healthier family!

In this book, you will find:

• Useful (and motivational!) tips
• How to identify your own eating personality
  
• Detailed guides on how to customize your plan
  
• Quizzes
  
• Success stories from real people who have lost weight and kept it off

For more information about this book please visit the Living the Thin Life Website! You can take a quiz to find out your diet personality and pick up a few weight loss tips! You can also read testimonials of people who have lost weight with the help of this book!

BUY IT:

You can purchase your own copy of Living the Thin Life - Creative Ways to Maintain Your Weight for Life by Elle Meyer right here for $11.99! Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy readers can save $2 off of the purchase price with the code: X2R7YU5Z at checkout!

If you have a Kindle, you can purchase this book for only $2.99 on Amazon!

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for this review. No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours.

Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy Review and Giveaway! - CLOSED!

I have just finished a wonderful book by Simon Van Booy entitled Everything Beautiful Began After! This book really drew me in! You should definitely add it to your summer reading list! I love the writing style of Simon Van Booy! He writes so poetically! This book has three main characters: Rebecca, George and Henry. The book is told from all three of their points of view, which adds a lot to the story. I would love to read more from this talented author!

Book Description:

Rebecca is young, lost, and beautiful. A gifted artist, she seeks solace and inspiration in the Mediterranean heat of Athens—trying to understand who she is and how she can love without fear.

George has come to Athens to learn ancient languages after growing up in New England boarding schools and Ivy League colleges. He has no close relationships with anyone and spends his days hunched over books or wandering the city in a drunken stupor.

Henry is in Athens to dig. An accomplished young archaeologist, he devotedly uncovers the city’s past as a way to escape his own, which holds a secret that not even his doting parents can talk about.

...And then, with a series of chance meetings, Rebecca, George, and Henry are suddenly in flight, their lives brighter and clearer than ever, as they fall headlong into a summer that will forever define them in the decades to come.

BUY IT:

You can purchase Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy on Amazon!

WIN IT:

Thanks to the publisher, Harper Perennial, one lucky Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy reader will win a copy of Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy! (US Residents Only)

You MUST be a follower of Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect (located at the right) for your entry to count. And you MUST include your email address with each entry.

Mandatory Entry:

Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy via Google Friend Connect. AND Visit Simon Van Booy's website and leave a comment of something you learned about him! (both combined = 1 entry)

That's all you have to do! But, if you'd like to receive extra entries you can:

-Like Simon Van Booy on Facebook here. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Like Harper Perennial on Facebook here. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Follow Simon Van Booy on Twitter here. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Follow Harper Perennial on Twitter here. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Like Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Facebook here. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Networked Blogs. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Follow Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy on Twitter here. (1 entry, include your ID)

-Tweet this giveaway. (1 entry daily, include the link)

-Enter another Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy giveaway. (1 entry for each giveaway entered)

-Post the Adventures of a Thrifty Mommy button (located at the right) on your blog. (5 entries, leave me a link)


Please include your email address with EACH entry. If you don't have your email attached to your comment, I won't be able to contact you if you win! Post a separate comment for each entry (if it says 3 entries, post 3 separate comments.)

This giveaway ends August 18, 2011 at 11:59 pm. Good luck!

* Lucky winner or winners will be selected through True Random Number Generator.* If your profile page does not show your email address, please include your email address in your comment. For example: adventuresofathriftymommy@gmail.com -- so that I may get in touch with you if you are selected as the giveaway winner. * Each giveaway winner has 48 hours to respond to my email about getting the awesome giveaway prize to him/her. If the winner does not reply to my email within 48 hours, I will choose another winner using the True Random Number Generator. * I do contact each winner via email

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for this review. No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours. Because I do not directly ship most giveaways from my home, I cannot be held liable for lost or not received products.