Laundry Time: Dropps Laundry Pacs - A Quick, Easy and Eco-Friendly Way to Save When Doing Laundry

I am amazed at how much time and energy Dropps are saving me in the laundry room!  In the not too distant past, I used to have at least three different laundry products (scented detergent, scent-free detergent, dryer sheets, etc) on hand at all times when doing laundry.  I also kept the measuring cups the detergent came with, along with a shelf lined with wax paper so it was easy to clean up the spills and drips that are sure to happen over time when using liquid detergent.  Then I was sent a bag of Dropps (Dye and Scent Free) to try from Mom Select (a while back) and my laundry experience changed forever!

Laundry is so easy and hassle free now, I simply load my laundry into my washing machine, grab a Dropps pac, toss it in, close the door and start the laundry.  The great thing about these is that they are safe to use in a high-efficiency washer (which I have) as well as a normal washer.

On top of that, there is very little packaging, no mess, and the ingredient list is VERY short: Laureth – 7 (Plant derived + biodegradable cleaning agent), Polyoxyethylene (20) oleyl ether (Plant derived + biodegradable cleaning agent), IPA (Processing agent), Hexylene glycol (Processing agent), Agua (water)!  All great things in my book. 

On top of that, I was comparing the prices at my local grocery store, and even when my normal brand of liquid detergent was on sale, these were a little cheaper.

Dropps come in 20, 42 or 80-load bags (there are 20 little packs in the bag, and each one dissolves completely as it cleans, so there is no messy residue and only a small plastic pouch to throw out) and are available in Fresh Scent, Scent + Dye Free, Baby (Scent + Dye + Enzyme Free).


Dropps Laundry Pacs: Scent + Dye Free
by Cot'n Wash, Inc.
Available in 20, 42, 80 load pouches
Laundry Detergent

Edition Reviewed: Scent + Dye Free - Review sample received courtesy of Mom Central and Dropps - I'm WAY behind on reviewing this but REALLY wanted to share my thoughts with you, so better late than never!

About Dropps:

JACK-OF-ALL-LAUNDRY

Dropps laundry detergent is one multi-tasking marvel. Not only are those little pacs handy, but they play well with others, too. Now that's smarter laundry.

All colors
The fade-free Dropps formula keeps all your laundry fresh and
bright, from lights to darks to hot pinks.

All fabrics
Dropps laundry detergent pacs are equal-opportunity gentle, and
wash everything from cotton to silk with care.

All washers
Dropps laundry detergent pacs work their magic in everything from
old-timey top-loaders to the smart HE models to the industrial-types
at the laundromat.

All temperatures
Dropps laundry detergent actually cleans in the energy-conscious cold
cycle, making it smart and powerful.

Scent + Dye Free

Dropps laundry pacs are tough on dirt, but easy on your favorite garments. Simply toss the pac directly into the washer drum (1 pac = 1 load) and it dissolves completely. Dropps laundry pacs are compatible in HE (High Efficiency) and standard washers. The Scent + Dye Free formula is gentle on sensitive skin. Dropps laundry pacs clean all fabrics and all colors in all temperatures (cold or hot water). The Dropps formula is Phosphate-free, enzyme-free and biodegradable. And, it’s safe for septic tanks and gray water systems. The Dropps Scent + Dye Free formula is approved by the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program.

Fresh Scent

Dropps laundry pacs are tough on dirt, but easy on your favorite garments. Simply toss the pac directly into the washer drum (1 pac = 1 load) and it dissolves completely. Dropps laundry pacs are compatible in HE (High Efficiency) and standard washers. Dropps laundry pacs clean all fabrics and all colors in all temperatures (cold or hot water). The Dropps formula is Phosphate-free, enzyme-free and biodegradable. And, it’s safe for septic tanks and gray water systems. The Dropps Fresh Scent formula is approved by the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program.

Dropps Baby

Dropps Baby laundry pacs are tough on dirt, but sensitive on baby skin. The Scent, Dye + Enzyme Free formula is perfect for loads of itch-free laundry. Simply toss the pac directly into the washer drum (1 pac = 1 load) and it dissolves completely. Dropps laundry pacs are compatible in HE (High Efficiency) and standard washers. Dropps laundry pacs clean all fabrics and all colors in all temperatures (cold or hot water). The Dropps formula is Phosphate-free, enzyme-free and biodegradable. And, it’s safe for septic tanks and gray water systems. The Dropps Baby formula is approved by the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) program. Cleaner baby, cleaner world.

About the Company: Cot'n Wash (from their site)

ABOUT US

They were the best of times. They were the worst of times.
The time was the early 80s. New Wave was on the radio. MTV came to cable TV. And those big chunky sweaters were all the rage. We should know, we made the chunky yarn at our very own cotton mill just outside Philadelphia. Yep, those were good times. Except of course, if you were the sweaters. Because every time we washed them, the harsh detergents and rough laundry routine made our sweet yarn all yellowed and stretchy.

Necessity is the mother of clean clothes
What we needed was a formula that could keep fabrics looking better, longer. So we removed the enzymes to keep the fabrics vibrant and soft (and to prevent their fibers from breaking down.) The result? An innovative formula with a split personality: tough on dirt, but gentle on your favorite garments. We knew we were onto something great... but it was only the beginning!

Clean. And pretty darn convenient, too.
With all the stuff we took out of this new detergent, we knew we had a small wonder on our hands. Which got us thinking, “What else can we make smaller? ” Then we thought the last thing moms needed was another huge drippy, sticky jug of detergent to deal with. So we put all the cleaning power in small, convenient, dissolvable pacs. Each is pre-measured to make laundry down-right fool-proof. You just drop ‘em in the laundry. Voila! Dropps was born. An idea that proved to be so smart, the leading consumer publications (did someone say Oprah?) and moms couldn’t stop raving about us. And who doesn’t love flattery!

Saving the earth, one wash at a time.
A funny thing happened on the way to the laundry room. We quickly discovered the whole Dropps movement is great for the planet. (Yay!). Remember, we’re phosphate-free, chlorine-free and NPE-free, too! And talk about a smaller footprint! We use less water, use way less plastic, take up less space, cost much less to ship and leave tremendously less mess in our landfills. You’ll agree... every pac counts!

And to think, we started out trying to save some clothes... and it looks like we’re helping to save something even larger.

Enjoy

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate. I get a very small amount for any purchases made when you click through a link from Wendi's Book Corner, which I then save up to buy more books. :)

Review: Bathsheba: A Novel (The Wives of King David) By Jill Eileen Smith, A Story of Adultry, Forgiveness and Redemption

Bathsheba is a beautifully written story.  It is one thing to read the basic names and facts in the Bible, it is a whole new experience to live through the happenings as told in the Bible in such vivid detail.  With her careful attention to detail and the emotion and realism she has given to the characters, Jill Eileen Smith has brought to life the Biblical characters of Bathsheba, Uriah, and David and those who surrounded them. 

The author has given us a deeper look into what might have reasonably happened between Bathsheba and King David using the culture and what would have been considered acceptable views at that time.   She really gave me a new perspective on the attitudes surrounding Bathsheba and King David, more specifically how their feelings and beliefs would have been affected in a time when women were raised to obey the men in their life without question.  I also loved the redemptive quality of the story: yes, they sinned by committing adultery, yes there were consequences to those actions... she also showed the importance of gaining forgiveness and the honor that ultimately came from their actions.

This is the third and final book of The Wives of King David, but it reads just fine as a stand-alone.  The two previous books are Michal and Abigail.  This would be a very interesting book to read in a Bible Study Group as well as a book club.  The publisher has provided Bible Study Questions and a Reading Group Guide online.

I always love to read stories surrounding women in the Bible, and I will be recommending this one to our book club.



Bathsheba: A Novel (The Wives of King David)
by Jill Eileen Smith
  Revell (March 1, 2011) ~ 346 pages
Fiction / Biblical Fiction / Historical Fiction / Christian Fiction

Edition Reviewed: Paperback - Review copy received courtesy of the publisher, many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review!

About the Book:

Can She Ever Find Redemption After One Night of Passion with the King?

“As the last word dried on the page, Bathsheba read the message through blurred vision. ‘I am with child’. She would not sign her name or address the message. He would know by the press of her husband’s seal on the wax...”

Bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the Bible’s most famous story of passion, betrayal and redemption in the conclusion of The Wives of King David series, Bathsheba (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3322-3 $14.99, March 2011). Smith draws from Scripture, in-depth historical research and her vivid imagination to unveil the story of David’s most famous wife - Bathsheba. Bathsheba is told in rich detail and drama, creating a riveting page-turner that will keep readers engaged to the conclusion of the book.

Bathsheba is a woman longing for love. With her devout husband, Uriah, away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charms. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful king, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever?

Bathsheba reveals the depth of God’s grace and forgiveness. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.

About the Author: (from the publisher's release)

Jill Eileen Smith has more than twenty years of writing experience, and her writing has garnered acclaim in several competitions. Her research into the lives of David's wives has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Smith is the author of the bestselling Michal and Abigail and lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

Available March 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate. I get a very small amount for any purchases made when you click through a link from Wendi's Book Corner, which I then save up to buy more books. :)

Teaser Tuesday: Bathsheba: A Novel (The Wives of King David) by Jill Eileen Smith

TEASER TUESDAYS :
hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading ~

"Yes, I don't think anyone else would sit so close to the king." Bathsheba leaned in, making sure not to be overheard. "They don't look too festive, do they?"

~ page 82 “Bathsheba: A Novel (The Wives of King David)" by Jill Eileen Smith

About the Book (from Amazon):

Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful king, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever?

With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.

I always look forward to reading everyone's teasers! ~ Wendi

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate.

Mailbox Monday and In My Mailbox: Back With Books and a Special Giveaway Preview... After A Bout With Pheumonia For Our Little One!

Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia at The Printed Page, is on a blog tour!

This month, Mailbox Monday is being hosted at I'm Booking It, so stop by and join the fun!

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren!

It is so much fun to see what everyone is getting in the mail.

Thanks for taking the time to visit ~ I just love hearing from you! Please let me know if you have read any of these books - I'd love to hear how you liked them!! :)

Sorry for being MIA over the past two weeks! Our little one ended up getting RSV, Rotovirus, and a double ear infection, then the RSV turned into pneumonia, so it has been a very busy and very tiring week trying to keep him at home and not in the hospital. The good news is that he is doing better and the doctors are very happy with his improvement.

Stay tuned for a GREAT giveaway I'm going to try to get up today or tomorrow! I don't think you will want to miss this one. :) I'll post a link here if I can get it up today!

Here are a majority of the wonderful books that have come into my house over the past two weeks, although I may add a few more as I straighten the house.

Billionaire Baby Dilemma by Barbara Dunlop ~ Fiction / Contemporary Romance ~ Available Now ~ Received for review courtesy of Author Sound Relations

Family was everything. Control was everything else. So when Lucas Demarco discovered he shared custody of his orphaned niece, he was determined to change the situation at once. Especially since the baby's aunt, Devin Hartley, despised all the Demarcos.

Yet he'd underestimated Devin's devotion. She believed he only wanted the baby as part of a family power play. But Lucas had their niece's best interest at heart. Convincing Devin of that fact wouldn't be easy.

Especially when his desire for her was out of control—and about to turn them from enemies into lovers.

Demons Prefer Blondes ARC by Sidney Ayers ~ Fiction / Romance / Paranormal Romance ~ Available June 2011 ~ Received courtesy of the publisher for review in June

With demons the hottest new heroes in the romance category, this is a fantastic debut paranormal.

When beautiful half-succubus Lucy Gregory's antique chest unleashes a Pandora's box of demonic activity in a suburban beauty salon, brooding demon Rafe arrives to run damage control. He's darkly sexy and everything she's avoided-icy and reserved-but that only adds to his mysterious appeal. Being a demon, he knows he should be able to resist Lucy's charms, but his resistance is slipping at the worst moment. And Lucy has no idea of the power she possesses...

The Healthy Home by Dave Wentz and Myron Wentz ~ Non-Fiction / Healthy Living ~ Available Now ~ Received for review courtesy of FSB Associates

InThe Healthy Home, a father and son--Dr. Myron Wentz, well-known microbiologist and founder of the USANA Corporation, and Dave Wentz, CEO of the USANA Corporation--take readers on a tour of a specific home for a look at the surprising health risks posed by the everyday products and behaviors of a modern family. Beginning in the bedroom and ending in the garage and backyard, readers learn about the degenerative effects of toxins in the home and receive simple solutions to help minimize exposure without foregoing convenience.

The Healthy Home is not a comprehensive tome on modern health hazards; nor is it a treatise on eco-conscious living. Instead, the book focuses on the most important environment--the home--and the problems that can most easily be lessened or eliminated. Busy parents who suspect that they should be doing more to protect their family but don't know where to start will learn about practical changes they can make in the next fifteen minutes, fifteen days, or fifteen months to create a haven for healthier living.

Heart of the Highland Wolf ARC by Terry Spear ~ Fiction / Romance / Paranormal Romance ~ Available June 2011 ~ Received for review courtesy of the publisher

Ian MacNeill is the laird of his clan and his gray werewolf pack, and he's about to lose his clan's ancestral home. Romance writer and red werewolf Julia Wildthorn has a serious case of writer's block that she hopes to banish at the ancient Argent Castle. Her family history leads to a clue about Ian's and a way to save his home, but can they put aside their differences and admit the sizzling chemistry between them?

Night Road ARC by Kristin Hannah ~ Fiction ~ Available Now~

For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy-- until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.

Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, NIGHT ROAD raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.

No Safe Haven by Kimberly and Kayla R. Woodhouse ~ Fiction / Christian / Suspense ~ Available Now ~ Received for review courtesy of the publisher

Jenna and Andi Tikaani-Gray are hoping for a fresh start. Though twelve year-old Andi has long struggled with a rare medical disorder, she and her mother have finally received good news from out-of-town specialists. It's news they desperately needed, especially after the recent death of Jenna's husband (Andi's dad) in a car accident.

But as they are flying home to Alaska, ready to begin again, the unthinkable happens. The pilot sabotages their small plane and crashes into Sultana, one of the most remote and dangerous mountains in the Land of the Midnight Sun. Even worse, a winter storm is headed their way along with someone who doesn't want to save them, but to kill them.

Only one man can keep them alive: Cole Maddox, the mysterious last-minute passenger who joined them on their flight. But trust doesn't come easy to Jenna or AndiÑand they both sense Cole is hiding something.

A relentless tale of survival and suspense unfolds, involving military technology designed by Jenna's late husband that some would do anything to possess.

Over the Edge ARC by Brandilyn Collins ~ Fiction / Suspense ~ Available May 2011 ~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review

Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns—and powerful truths about today's medical field.

Janessa McNeil’s husband, Dr. Brock McNeil, a researcher and professor at Stanford University's Department of Medicine, specializes in tick-borne diseases—especially Lyme. For years he has insisted that Chronic Lyme Disease doesn't exist. Even as patients across the country are getting sicker, the committee Brock chairs is about to announce its latest findings—which will further seal the door shut for Lyme treatment.

One embittered man sets out to prove Dr. McNeil wrong by giving him a close-up view of the very disease he denies. The man infects Janessa with Lyme, then states his demand: convince her husband to publicly reverse his stand on Lyme—or their young daughter will be next.

But Janessa's marriage is already rocky. She's so sick she can hardly move or think. And her husband denies she has Lyme at all.

Welcome to the Lyme wars, Janessa.

The Quilter's Bible by Linda Clements ~ Non-Fiction / Crafts / Quilting ~ Available Now ~ Received courtesy of FSB Associates for review

The Quilter's Bible presents essential know-how together with a wide range of inspirational projects, tips and ideas collected from international top-name quilters. Ideal for both the beginners looking for trustworthy advice in a single volume and the committed quilters searching for authoritative reference for seldom used techniques. Over 15 projects featured including cot quilts, bed quilts, lap quilts, bags, cushions, wall hangings, table mats and runners, and other beautiful projects for the home.

That's When I Talk to God by Dan and Ali Morrow ~ Fiction / Children's Book ~ Available April 1, 2011 ~ Received courtesy of The B & B Media Group for review

A little girl discovers that prayer is more than a bedtime ritual; she can talk to God anytime, in any place, and about any thing.

As a little girl says her bedtime prayers, her mother asks a simple question that sparks a powerful discovery: “You know we can pray to him any time we want to, right?” With that, the little girl suddenly finds things to talk to God about everywhere—in her garden, in a friend’s backyard, and on the soccer field. The girl’s prayer life will never be the same.

That’s When I Talk to God is a sweet story that will deepen the prayer lives of children four to eight. This charmingly illustrated tale steps beyond explaining prayer and models constant communication with God.

Wolves Among Us by Ginger Garrett ~ Fiction / Historical ~ Available April 1, 2011 ~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review with CFBA March 30 - April 1

This richly imagined tale takes readers to a tiny German town in the time of “the burnings,” when pious and heretic alike became victims of witch-hunting zealots. When a double murder stirs up festering fears, the village priest sends for help. But the charismatic Inquisitor who answers the call brings a deadly mix of spiritual fervor and self-deceptive evil. Under his influence, village fear, guilt, and suspicion of women take a deadly turn. In the midst of this nightmare, a doubting priest and an unloved wife—a secret friend of the recently martyred William Tyndale—somehow manage to hear another Voice…and discover the power of love over fear.

Dinfoil, Germany, 1538. In a little town on the edge of the Black Forest, a double murder stirs up festering fears. A lonely woman despairs of pleasing her husband and wonders why other women shun her. An overworked sheriff struggles to hold the town—and himself—together. A priest begins to doubt the power of the words he shares daily with his flock. And the charismatic Inquisitor who arrives to help—with a filthy witch in a cage as an object lesson—brings his own mix of lofty ideals and treacherous evil. Under his influence, ordinary village fears and resentments take a deadly turn. Terror mounts. Dark deeds come to light. And men and women alike discover not only what they are capable of, but who they are…and what it means to grapple for grace.

And I received a very special package in the mail from Pure Pearls for review and giveaway! Watch for my review and giveaway over the next day or so!!

They sent me a beautiful lavender pearl necklace for review, and they are going to let me host a giveaway so that one lucky reader will win their choice of white, pink or lavender pearl necklace (Retail Value $505, Sale Price $101) - Don't miss out on this one!!

(I'm going to try really hard to get this one up today, but have one last doctor appointment -- hopefully -- for our little one's pneumonia)

Publish Post

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate

Reveiw: Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America's Cheapest Family: Includes So Many Innovative Strategies You Won't Have to Cut Coupons by Steve and Annette Economides

So, I couldn't cut my grocery bill in half, but I was able to save even more than I used to by adding a few extra tips I learned from this book to those I already knew.

If you already make a point to save money, you probably know a good portion of the tips and strategies in the book, but you will probably learn a few new tips too! 
But don't be afraid to pick up this book... You will likely find a few extra tips to help you save even more, and for those just starting to try to save money at the grocery store, you will learn (and save) a lot!


Even if you already clip coupons and shop sales, you can still find some great information in this book. For example. I have forever changed the way I shop for eggs after learning about repackaged eggs in the book. I've always wondered what happened to those cartons of eggs with broken or cracked eggs in them... well, the authors explain that the cartons are taken to the back and repackaged. In my local grocery store a dozen eggs ranges between $1.99 and 3.79 depending on the type of egg. After asking about the repackaged eggs and finding where they are, I found out that they are only $1.35, and they are typically large and jumbo eggs! So I open a few cartons, choose my favorites, and save a nice little bundle (we use lots of eggs each week, so it is a nice savings for us).  I think the savings from the eggs has more than covered the cost of the book!

Reading over the contents might help you see if this book might be for you!

Book Contents:
1. Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half (or More)
2. The Power of the Plan
3. Shopping to Win
4. Couponing - One of Many Ways to Save
5. Cooking That Will Save You Time, Money, and Sanity
6. Stocking Up and Organizing - Store It, Find It, Use It
7. Economizing Equipment - Powerful Money-Saving Tools
8. Family Dinnertime - Building A Stronger Family at the Table
9. Feeding Your Kids for Less
10. Where and How to Eat Out for Less
11. Gardening - Grow It Yourself and Be Healthy
12. Bag up the Savings
Bonus Materials



Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half with America's Cheapest Family: Includes So Many Innovative Strategies You Won't Have to Cut Coupons
by Steve and Annette Economides
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 28, 2010) ~ 272 pages
Non-Fiction / Personal Finance / General

Edition Reviewed: Paperback - Review copy received courtesy of the Amazon Vine Review Program

About the Book:

From the Publisher: America’s Cheapest Family shows readers how to save up to $3,000 annually on groceries with their proven strategies, tips, tools, and tricks.

The average American family spends 10 to 15 percent of its take-home pay on groceries. Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half gives them a sure-fire opportunity to reduce that number forever. With the proven plan in this book, the average family can save more than $3,000 a year on its grocery bill.

“Can cutting coupons do that?” a consumer might ask. Of course, these money-saving experts teach coupon-clipping strategies, but they don't stop there. Readers learn how to plan their shopping to save big bucks, effectively store food and save cash, identify products that save time and money, beat the grocer at pricing games, and more!

The Economides learned to deliver healthy, tasty food to their family of seven on $350 a month. In this authoritative manual, the average family can follow their lead and fill its grocery cart without emptying its wallet.

Excerpt:


About the Author: (from the publisher's site)

Steve and Annette Economides were married in 1982. Steve worked as a graphic designer for $6.50 per hour, while Annette stayed home to stretch pennies until they begged for mercy. In just nine years, on an average income of just $35,000, they paid-off their first home. They have also paid cash for cars, taken debt-free vacations, spent $350 per month to feed their family of seven, and put their kids through college without school loans.

They are NY Times Best Selling authors and are recognized internationally as family finance experts. They have appeared on many national TV shows including: Good Morning America, the Today Show, ABC's 20/20, Fox's Your Life with Neil Cavuto and the Dr. Phil Show. They are regularly quoted on radio, in newspapers and have been featured in magazines such as Good Housekeeping, People, and Real Simple as well as profiled on Yahoo.com and MSNBC.com.

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate

Teaser Tuesday: Welcome to Last Chance by Hope Ramsay

TEASER TUESDAYS :
hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading ~

Clay shook his head and smiled an infernally delicious grin that lit up his face. "Look, Jane, all I meant was -"

~ page 90 “Welcome to Last Chance ARC" by Hope Ramsay

**The Teaser was taken from an Advance Reading Copy, so may differ from the final version.

About the Book (from Amazon):

Dear Reader,

Yes, our town is way off the beaten path, but strange, wonderful miracles happen a lot around here.

I've owned the Cut 'n' Curl beauty shop for years, and I've seen folks come for a visit, then stay for a lifetime. Take Jane-that pretty firecracker of a girl who just arrived in town. I would swear she's running from something. She came with only five dollars in her pocket but she's worked real hard to make a fresh start. She's turned my son Clay's life upside down without even realizing it.

And thank goodness for that! Ever since Clay left his country western band, he's played everything too safe. He needs to take a chance on Jane. Besides, the more he tries to keep his distance, the more he'll realize that he and Jane are singing the same tune.

But I should quit ramblin' and go check on Millie's permanent wave. Next time you're in Last Chance, be sure to swing by. We've got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,

Ruby Rhodes

I always look forward to reading everyone's teasers! ~ Wendi

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate.

Quick Movie Review: Red Riding Hood (Based on the book by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright - Have You Read It?)

Yesterday I had one of those rare mornings that seem to occur so infrequently these days... I went out to a movie! Yes!! I didn't wait for it to come out on DVD, or find it at Redbox... I went to the theater with a friend... and ate popcorn and pop... at 11:35 in the morning... and had a GREAT time!

Ever since my husband showed me the trailer for Red Riding Hood, I knew I had to go see it as soon as it was out. And now I've seen it, and I loved it!  Let me say that the setting/village the story takes place in was stunning.  It was rustic, but very detailed... in short, it is a place I would LOVE to visit and explore.  I loved that the majority of homes were on a lifted log foundation so they could pull up the ladders for safety when needed.  And while it was primitive by today's standards, Valerie's home (which is the one home we see more than any other) is very homey.

I thought the love triangle between Valerie, Peter and Henry was very important to the overall story, and I found myself rooting for both Peter and Henry at different times.

I loved the actors, the scenery, and the story. It was the perfect combination of romance, myth, beauty and anticipation... a great twist to a well-known fairy tale. It kept me guessing until the end, and it left me happy.  What more could you ask for? 

And to top it all off, it is a book!  Now really, I must get my hands on a copy soon!!  Have you read it???  What did you think?



Red Riding Hood  Warner Bros.March 11, 2011  Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, Billy Burke, Virginia Madsen

Edition Reviewed: The Movie, which just came out in theaters!

About the Movie:

From IMDB: Valerie (Seyfried) is a beautiful young woman torn between two men. She is in love with a brooding outsider, Peter (Fernandez), but her parents have arranged for her to marry the wealthy Henry (Irons). Unwilling to lose each other, Valerie and Peter are planning to run away together when they learn that Valerie's older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village. For years, the people have maintained an uneasy truce with the beast, offering the creature a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf has upped the stakes by taking a human life. Hungry for revenge, the people call on famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Oldman), to help them kill the wolf. But Solomon's arrival brings unintended consequences as he warns that the wolf, who takes human form by day, could be any one of them. As the death toll rises with each moon, Valerie begins to suspect that the werewolf could be someone she loves. As panic grips the town, Valerie discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast--one that inexorably draws them together, making her both suspect...and bait. Written by Warner Bros. Pictures

Excerpt:


Based on the Book by Author Sarah Blakley-Cartwright:

Sarah Blakley-Cartwright is twenty-two years old and is a recent cum laude graduate of Barnard College, the greatest place on earth. She is the recipient of the 2008-2009 Mary Gordon Fiction Scholarship Award and the 2009-2010 Lenore Marshall Barnard Prize for Prose. She splits her time between New York and Los Angeles. Despite what the book may say, she actually prefers wolves to people.

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate

Mailbox Monday and In My Mailbox: A Huge Win From Words of Wisdom... From The Scarf Princess and Dancing on Glass

Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia at The Printed Page, is on a blog tour!

This month, Mailbox Monday is being hosted at I'm Booking It, so stop by and join the fun!

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren!

It is so much fun to see what everyone is getting in the mail.

Thanks for taking the time to visit ~ I just love hearing from you! Please let me know if you have read any of these books - I'd love to hear how you liked them!! :)

I had a huge win from Joder over at Words of Wisdom.... From the Scarf Princess in celebration of reaching 100 followers!  Congrats Joder and thanks for the great books and swag!

Dark Embers by Tessa Adams  ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available Now ~

Prince Dylan MacLeod is one of the last pure-blood dragon shape- shifters-and ruler of a dying race, the Dragonstar clan. It falls to him to protect his people and their ancient magic. But he has one important duty: to provide an heir...

Like all dragons, Dylan, who has a dark, rampant sexual appetite, can only procreate with his destined mate-for whom he's searched for the last five hundred years. But his quest is delayed when a disease sweeps through the Dragonstars, and Dylan must venture to the human world to find a cure. He tracks down bio-chemist Phoebe Quillum, never imagining the beautiful scientist would be the mate he's been seeking. But even with the fate of the clan on their shoulders, Phoebe and Dylan are overcome by their sexual desire.

Their passion turns to something truer, but when Phoebe is kidnapped by Dylan's oldest enemy, he must risk everything for his love and his clan...

Dark Needs at Nights Edge by Kresley Cole ~ Fiction / Romance  ~ Available Now ~

A RAVEN-HAIRED TEMPTRESS OF THE DARK...

Néomi Laress, a famous ballerina from a past century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Imbued with otherworldly powers but invisible to the living, she haunts her beloved home, scaring away trespassers -- until she encounters a ruthless immortal even more terrifying than Néomi herself.

A VAMPIRE WARRIOR CONSUMED BY MADNESS...

To prevent him from harming others, Conrad Wroth's brothers imprison him in an abandoned manor. But there, a female only he can see seems determined to drive him further into madness. The exquisite creature torments him with desire, leaving his body racked with lust and his soul torn as he finds himself coveting her for his own.

HOW FAR WILL HE GO TO CLAIM HER?

Yet even if Conrad can win Néomi, evil still surrounds her. Once he returns to the brutality of his past to protect her, will he succumb to the dark needs seething inside him?

Getting Lucky by Carolyn Brown ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available Now ~

One schoolteacher who won't let anyone push her around

After being the center of nasty gossip in her last hometown, all Julie Donovan wants in Saint Jo, Texas, is a quiet, uneventful life for her and her daughter, Annie. But when a sexy cowboy walks into her classroom with a daughter who looks like Annie's twin, suddenly the whole town is looking for explanations…

One stubborn cowboy who's more than willing to cross horns

Devoted single dad Griffin Luckadeau will do anything to protect his own, and no sassy redhead is going to get in his way. When he thinks Julie is scheming to steal his ranch out from under him to benefit her own daughter, sparks really begin to fly... Julie and Griffin can't seem to cross paths without a scuffle. But when the dust settles, these two Texas hotheads may realize they've actually found something worth fighting for…

Half Past Dead by Zoe Archer and Bianca D'Arc ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available Now ~

The Undying Heart by Zoe Archer - Samuel Reed had no idea magic existed, until it almost destroyed him. Thirsting for vengeance against the enemy who made him something less than human, Sam returns to England and crosses paths with Cassandra Fielding. His best friend's little sister has become a fearless woman on a dangerous mission of her own. And against all odds, she sees past what he's become, and stirs a desire he thought he'd lost forever...

Simon Says by Bianca D'Arc - Special Forces soldier Simon Blackwell ended his affair with Mariana Daniels three years ago, but he hasn't stopped protecting her. Mariana has no knowledge of the dark, deadly creatures that lurk in the forest surrounding her clinic, or of the mysterious powers that make Simon the only one who can defeat them. But soon he'll have no choice but to reveal the truth, and urge her to trust in an explosive passion that never faded.

Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available Now~

When hunky rancher "Lucky Beau" Luckadeau accuses spitfire Milli Torres of stealing his prize bull, she promptly shoots at him, triggering a feud that only gets resolved when they discover they share a steamy hot memory from a night long ago…

It was a night of passion that has always haunted Lucky. The mysterious beauty he seduced at a cousin's wedding disappeared. He's always been lucky at cards, lucky
with cattle, and lucky with land, but he's never been lucky in love.

Now Milli Torres has come to southern Oklahoma to help out on her grandfather's ranch. A cut fence and a big, mean Angus bull in the pasture are bad enough, but then she looks up and sees Beau Luckadeau. Great God Almighty, how did he get from Louisiana to Ardmore, Oklahoma, and what in the hell is she going to do if he recognizes her?

One Lucky Cowboy by Carolyn Brown ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available Now ~

Jane Day is on the run from the paid assassin who had been her fiancé. In Wichita Falls, Texas, she meets Nellie Luckadeau, a spitfire of an old lady who desperately needs someone to work on her ranch. But Nellie's drop-dead gorgeous grandson "Lucky Slade" is sure he can spot a con artist a mile away. He's determined not to let some upstart like Jane fleece his granny.

When his signature intimidation methods don't convince Jane to leave, he pours on the charm to make her spill what she's up to. She's happy to play along, but she's not going to let this hot, hostile cowboy run her off his land when all she needs is a lucky break…

For review from the publisher:

Dancing on Glass by Pamela Ewen ~ Fiction ~ Available August 2011 ~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review

In the steamy city of New Orleans in 1974, Amalise Catoir sees Phillip Sharp as a charming, magnetic artist, unlike any man she has known. A young lawyer herself, raised in a small town and on the brink of a career with a large firm, she is strong and successful, yet sometimes too trusting and whimsical. Ama's rash decision to marry Phillip proves to be a mistake as he becomes overly possessive, drawing his wife away from family, friends, and her faith. His insidious, dangerous behavior becomes her dark, inescapable secret.

In this lawyer's unraveling world, can grace survive Ama's fatal choice? What would you do when prayers seem to go unanswered, faith has slipped away, evil stalks, and you feel yourself forever dancing on shattered glass?

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate