Friday, November 18, 2011

Winner

And the winner of the

is roneeappleby of 7 Apples Living Simple and Loving it!.

Thank you roneeappleby for taking the time to stop by and enter. Oh and roneeappleby - please e-mail me your address.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Still working on 11/22/63 by Stephen King. I don't think I realized what I was signing up for. I will get this reviewed by Monday and be back on schedule. Happy Thanksgiving my American friends.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Free E-Books November 17, 2011

Here are some eBooks I found that are free to download. I looked at Barnes & Noble first, I will link there and Amazon if they have it as well. I have not read these books, so this list isn't one of recommendations, just a list of free books I thought looked interesting.

1. Salads for Every Season: 25 Salads from Earthbound Farm: A Workman Short by Myra Goodman - B&N, Amazon
Myra Goodman knows salad. Founder with her husband, Drew, of Earthbound Farm—the largest grower of organic produce in North America—she is the author FOOD TO LIVE BY and THE EARTHBOUND COOK, sumptuous cookbooks built on the idea of fresh, seasonal cooking. From those books, she has culled a useful and inspiring ebook short filled with 25 recipes for salads that showcase the best produce of spring, summer, fall and winter.

Colorful, healthy, and packed with delightful textures and flavors, these are what salads should be. For Spring and Summer: Strawberry-Tarragon Salad with Aged Balsamic Vinegar; Chopped Summer Vegetable Salad; Farro Salad with Edamame and Arugula; Summer Salad with Butter Lettuce, Raspberries, and Hazelnuts. Fall and Winter: Jicama and Orange Salad with Orange-Sesame Vinaigrette; Escarole with Walnuts, Dates, and Bacon; Roasted Beet Salad alla Caprese; Autumn Salad with Persimmons and Pomegranate Seeds. Plus a Field Guide to Salad Greens, sidebars exploring ingredients and salad basics, how to grow your own sprouts and infuse your own oils, and a chapter dedicated to versatile dressings and dips.

2. The Glass Case: A Short Story by Kristin Hannah - B&N, Amazon
In her classic short story THE GLASS CASE, Kristin Hannah explores the heart and mind of a young mother. April Bannerman is a young mother of three, married to her high school sweetheart & living in the same small town in which she grew up. Although she loves her children and husband, April is plagued by the growing doubt that she has not lived up to her mother's expectations for her---until one day when something terrible and unexpected happens, and April must face the truth about her own life and discover what really matters.

BONUS MATERIAL INCLUDED: 1st chapter of Kristin Hannah’s newest novel HOME FRONT, coming January 2012.

3. The Myth of the Garage And Other Minor Surprises by Dan Heath , Chip Heath - B&N, Amazon
From Chip and Dan Heath, the bestselling authors of Switch and Made to Stick, comes The Myth of the Garage: And Other Minor Surprises, a collection of the authors’ best columns for Fast Company magazine—16 pieces in all, plus a previously unpublished piece entitled “The Future Fails Again.”In Myth, the Heath brothers tackle some of the most (and least) important issues in the modern business world:
  • Why you should never buy another mutual fund (“The Horror of Mutual Funds”)
  • Why your gut may be more ethical than your brain (“In Defense of Feelings”)
  • How to communicate with numbers in a way that changes decisions (“The Gripping Statistic”)
  • Why the “Next Big Thing” often isn’t (“The Future Fails Again”)
  • Why you may someday pay $300 for a pair of socks (“The Inevitability of $300 Socks”)
  • And 12 others . . . Punchy, entertaining, and full of unexpected insights, the collection is the perfect companion for a short flight (or a long meeting).
4. Snow for Xmas by Oksana Vasilenko - Smashwords
Christmas is a magic time when dreams come true. But are some dreams too crazy to come true? Can one wish for snow as a Xmas present? This is one story from my book 'Star Children' which contains two other short stories for children: 'Star Children' and 'The Lost Marble'.
5. The 99% by Hope Sullivan McMickle - Smashwords
Owen Stephens is a man with nothing left to lose. Since the Great Collapse, inflation has spiraled out of control, unemployment has skyrocketed, and hunger, homelessness, and despair is the norm for 99% of Americans. Desperate to protect and provide for his family, Owen is out of options and almost out of time. Until he discovers that he's worth more undead than he is alive.

Next week I'm just going to Smashwords. Much easier to find a freebie. Don't forget to go to yesterday's blog and enter the giveaway for the Christmas necklace.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Yule Jewelry Contest

Being ill and choosing to read the latest Stephen King tome has left me on a Wednesday with no review ready to go.

Don't fret, loyal readers! My friend Lisa Brawner of Tribal Horse Designs (blog) and Shadows of the Goddess (Etsy store) has graciously donated this unique holiday necklace for a fun Holiday Giveaway.
Isn't that fantastic? A Christmas Goose!

Bad news - due to the high cost of shipping, this contest is only open to the continental US. Sorry - sometime next year I'll host something open to the world...promise.

First entry - share your favorite holiday memory. Doesn't have to be Christmas, Yule or even Hanukkah. Any holiday will do.

Additional Entries (one comment per entry):
  • Tweet about this giveaway - one per day - leave a comment for each tweet with a link
  • Blog about this entry - leave a link in the comments
  • Become (or be) a follower of Tribal Horse Designs
  • Become (or be) a follower of this blog
  • Grab my button (worth 2 entries)
  • Grab Lisa's button from Tribal Horse Designs (worth 3 entries)

Entry period will end Friday at 11:59 pm (EST). I will post the winner Saturday.

Good luck!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

MyMemories Tuesday


Today's Freebie Kit can be found here - http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_2

I used a quick page and then added the lettering on a resized purple page that is part of this kit. Enjoy!

Below is a tutorial on how to use the MyMemories Software. You do not need the software to use the kits, but if you do want to purchase it, use the coupon code - STMMMS94433 - to save $10 off the price and get $10 in free kits.

*Using outside content in your My Memories Suite software* from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.



Check out MyMemories on Facebook - they have challenges, giveaways and ideas from other members.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

The Pentacle Pendant

by Stephen M. DeBock

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:
“On the last day of his life, Royce Williams met a woman who literally took his breath away …”

When Claire Delaney’s lover confesses he’s a werewolf, she laughs; when he begs permission to turn her, she laughs again—kinky sex, anyone?—and tells him to go for it. When she regains consciousness, she isn’t laughing any more.

As Claire learns to adapt to her new life, her lover finds his integrity compromised: by a lusty and mysterious female who seduces him into sharing his lycanthropy in return for a special gift of her own. But when he insists they share this gift, the woman realizes his loyalty remains with Claire—and knows she must destroy them both.

As if Claire’s conflicted morality at her own righteous kills aren’t enough, she now finds herself pursued on two fronts: by a covert agent who seeks to protect her and by the seductress who wants to kill her. All three paths will ultimately cross…..and the battle for Claire’s soul will climax at the intersection.


The title Pentacle Pendant certainly catches your attention, but the cover seems a little stiff. It really left me unsure about the story. Here is proof of the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover."

The characters are all deeply written, there is no black and white within the story, except for the woman who demands revenge on Claire...and for something Claire had no control or knowledge of.

The story takes place almost exclusively in New England. Claire is getting ready and graduate college with an English degree and no idea what to do with it. She finds a boyfriend and a job in the same night. Sure then he turns her into a werewolf, but no relationship is perfect. Claire hates what she has become, but loves her new career and friends that she meets through work.

The story was intriguing and consistently built in intensity to the climax of the story. The only thing that left me wanting more were the few times the author dragged out a description and never really made it clear. In fact, the word vampire was never used, and werewolf was rare. It was hemophage and metamorph. Interesting words, but occasionally it did cause frustration.

All in all, DeBock is a good author and I had a hard time putting this story down. Even when I was so tired I could barely think, I had to know what was happening to Claire. By the way, don't read this when your husband is freeway driving in the rain...the two situations don't mix well. LOL

Sunday Stealing: The Madness Meme, Part 2

Cheers to all of us thieves!

23. Do you ever walk around the house naked? sure, not often though. Mostly at night after the boys are asleep and I'm just running from the shower to my bedroom. STREAK!

24. If you were an animal what would you be? Why? God I hate these questions. I don't know....I know I like wolves...can I be a wolf?

25. Hair color you like on someone you’re dating? Dark brown or black.

26. If suffering an injury, would you rather be left blind or deaf? Again...what a dumb question. If I lost my sight, I'd miss reading and watching my kids play. If I lost my hearing I'd miss music and my kids laughter. Seriously choose between those???

27. Do you have any special talents? Nope, not a single one. I'm ordinary girl! Freakishly normal in every way.

28. What do you do as soon as you walk in the house? kick off my shoes. I hate shoes.

29. Do you like horror or comedy? comedy. I used to like horror but really only the bad ones that my friends and I laughed through.

30. Are you missing anyone? Not right now, right now I'm missing my bed and my pillow.

31. Where do you want to live when you are old? Near my kids, grandkids, etc.

32. Who is the person you can count on the most? I guess my husband. He's not always perfect, but he tries harder for me than anyone else on this planet.

33. If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be? Cary Grant...and yes I know he was gay but he was still hot and funny. Besides, it's not like reality was part of this question. lol

34. What did you dream last night? I dreamt about werewolves...reading a book about them before bed probably not the best idea.

35. What is your favorite sport to watch? Ugggg...ok anything my kids are playing. I'm not into sports but if it's to support my boys I can make it through it.

36. Are you named after anyone? Not that I'm aware of.

37. What is your favorite alcoholic drink? Rum and cranberry juice over ice....god I love that at the end of the day.

38. Non alcoholic drink? Iced Mocha from Biggby...god I love that at the beginning of the day!

39. Have you ever been in love? I'm in love now...3 men here hold my heart (1 husband and 2 sons).

40. Do you sing in the shower? No, but I do sing in the car.

41. Have you ever been arrested? Nope...

42. What is your favorite Holiday? Christmas, especially since we go see Chris' family and spend the night with his brother and fam...they are awesome!

43. Would you ever get plastic surgery? I have...a breast reduction. Worst thing I ever did. But would I get more surgery? If I found a good doctor who could fix the mess the other left behind I would.

44. Have you ever caught a fish? Yes, I used to go fishing with my dad all the time. When I was 8 and he started dating my mom, he took me fishing just the 2 of us. He was my favorite guy ever after that. He actually talked to me, listened to me and wasn't just using me to get to my mom. Course then he knocked her up, had a boy, married her then adopted me. And we all lived dysfunctionally ever after. ;)
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