Fool For Book Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 4/7

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer 

For this giveaway, I'll be giving away $100!

April Fools!!!!!

But I will be giving away a copy of the following book:

"Beyond the Valley"
 by Rita Gerlach

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me how you feel about April Fools Day.  Love it or hate it?  Somewhere in between?

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do :)

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, April 7, 2013.  The winner will be emailed on April 8th.

For more chances to win great bookishness,

check out these other giveaway hoppers :

Crocheting the Miles ~ 3/29/13

Crocheting a one row for every 3 miles (5K) walked to make a "Life-ghan" with Cris.
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365 Miles in 365 Days Challenge

Total Miles This Week:  12

Total Miles in 2013:  85

Rows allowed:  28

Rows completed: 26

(No new pic)

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60 Miles in 60 Days

2/1-4/1

Getting started today :)  Hopefully!
2/1/13-2/7/13 = 10 miles
2/8/13-2/14/13 = 7 miles
2/15/13-2/21/13 = 6 miles
2/22/13-2/28/13 = 7 miles
3/1/13-3/7/13 = 7 miles
3/8/13-3/14/13 = 4 miles
3/15/13-3/21/13 = 8 miles
3/22/13-3/28/13 = 12 miles

Total:  61/60

DONE!!!!!!

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Booking Through Thursday ~ Rating System ~ 3/28/13

"Movies have a rating system to help guide the consumer weed out adult/violent/inappropriate kinds of films. Video games do, too. Do you think BOOKS should have a ratings system?"

What an interesting question!  I've never thought about this before.  My answer would be a huge YES!

It would be so helpful if books had a rating systems.  Not only for my own reading but also in knowing what to allow my pre-teen to read.  I usually try to look up the suggested age for reading a certain book before allowing her to read it but I would love to have some kind of rating system to help also.

Good question!

Getting to Know: Elise at Grow Creative

Name: Elise Engh
Home State: Arizona

State of Residence: Utah
Age: 28

Home life (Family, pets, etc.): I'm a stay-at-home mom of one 4-year-old and I've been married for 6 1/2 years.  

Hobbies that you enjoy: All kinds of art, but watercolors are my favorite right now, crochet, crafting, swimming, hiking, and traveling

Favorite food: The Cafe Rio Pork Salad

What's your blog/website(s)? Grow Creative (http://growcreative.blogspot.com/)

Why do you blog/write? What do you hope to accomplish with blogging?

 I started my creative blog as an outlet for my creative ideas, art, and projects and as a way to keep myself motivated to keep exploring, learning, and making things while being a stay-at-home mom.  It's grown to be a way to connect me to other creative people around the world, to share ideas, and to support each other in what we love to do.  It also keeps me going through the hard times that come in life.  Sharing my talents and connecting with others has a way of helping me to be more grateful for what I do have!

Any words of encouragement or wisdom to impart?

The things that have made the biggest difference for me in having positive experiences with blogging are to first, always be yourself and share who you really are, and second, to not compare yourself to others.  Just love yourself for who you are and what you love to do! 

Where can readers connect with you online?

Readers can connect with me at:

 my blog: http://growcreative.blogspot.com/ 

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grow-Creative/253463474682031

My Etsy Shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/GrowCreative

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/growcreative/

If you'd like to be featured in a "Getting to Know You" post, please email me at collettaskitchensink [at] yahoo [dot] com .

Hoppy Easter Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 4/5

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Read Now Sleep Later

Hoppy Easter, Everyone!  I hope you have/had a great Holiday Weekend!  I know I plan to :)

Up for grabs is:

"Camellia"
 by Ginny Aiken

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me your plans are/were for the long Holiday Weekend.  Did you have a big dinner?  Did you have extra days off? etc, etc, etc.

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do :)

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, April 5, 2013.  The winner will be emailed on April 6th.

For more chances to win great bookishness,

check out these other giveaway hoppers :

Read, Crochet, Repeat ~ 3/27/13

My current read and project are:

I'm reading "The House that Love Built" by Beth Wiseman.  I've read many books by Beth but most have been Amish.  So far, I'm really enjoying getting to know the characters and the town is supposedly where the movie "Hope Floats" was filmed.  I look forward to digging in deeper.

Today, I started a Twisty Scarf in Red Heart "Mexicana".  It is bright and vibrant.  Just what I needed to get my spirits lifted in this dreary start to Spring.

I read.  I crocheted.  Now, to repeat.

Have a great day!

Book Review ~ Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings ~ Facebook Party 4/4

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review 

as part of a Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  To see more about the book, author, and other reviews please click HERE.

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Title:  "Love in the Balance"
Series:  Prairie Lea

Author:  Regina Jennings
Publisher:  Bethany House
Publication Date:  3/1/13

Pages:  360

Buy From Amazon:  HERE

Book Description:

Handsome Cowboy or Debonair Tycoon.
How’s a Girl to Choose?

Molly Lovelace dreams of a life without cares in Lockhart, Texas. She also dreams of handsome wrangler Bailey Garner, her ardent but inconsistent beau. The problem is, with Bailey’s poor prospects, she just can’t fit the two dreams together.

Then mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont sweeps into town–and her life–and for the first time Molly wonders if she’s met the man who can give her everything. But he won’t be in Lockhart long and while it certainly seems like he talks about their glorious future together, she can’t quite get Bailey out of her mind.

What’s a girl to do with all these decisions when love is in the balance?

Meet Regina:  

  

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. 

 

Find out more about Regina at 

http://www.reginajennings.com/.

My Overall Feeling of the Book:

I was a bit frustrated through the first half of the book with how Molly kept going back and forth between the two men especially when she claimed to be so in love with Bailey.  Bailey was a bit frustrating as well with all his job hopping.

At one point in the middle of the book I was so upset that I almost quiet reading the book all together.  It was not going as I expected!  But don't stop reading!!!

I love how the author made such a huge u-turn in the story.  I was shocked and then couldn't put the book down until I knew how things turned out in the end.

This was a great read and I was very pleased with the outcome.


A Brief Excerpt:

"You really hurt me, pushing me away like you did."  She pulled a stem from the rosebush and began breaking off the thorns.  "I understand why, but it still hurt."

 Page 92

The Cover:

I think this cover is gorgeous!  Everything from the blue of her dress, the richness of the luggage, the colors of the sky and the lacy parasol come together to make a very beautiful cover.

Other Notes:

~Remember, don't get upset.  It turns out well in the end :)

Rating

4/5

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On to the next book,

Chats on the Porch ~ 3/26/13

This week's questions are:

1.  Melanie asks "What kinds of seafood have you tried and liked? What is the most unique seafood you've eaten?

I don't like seasfood at all!  My biggest walk of the seafood side is a fishstick.  lol

2.  Anne says, "An unforgettable holiday moment is_____________________. (She's on the other side of that BIG pond. I believe a holiday is a vacation on this side. )

We went to Disney World this past summer and it was great!  The kids loved and and we took my parents who had never been there.  It was so amazing to see my youngest daughter's face when we watched the Beauty and the Beast Musical.  She was in awe!

3.  Arlene wants to know, "When was the last time you tried something new?"

Something new?  Hmm...  I really can't think of anything other than trying a new recipe.  Wow, am I boring!

4.  Becky asks, "Who or what inspires you?"

My family and friends inspire me.  Especially when I have a bout with depression/anxiety.  With God's help, they are what gets me through each day.

5.  Madonna wants to know," How did you chose the names of your children. Wendell adds,"If you don't have kids, how do you choose pet names?"

Kaylee Ann= My middle name, Kay, with the hubby's middle name, Lee.  + My mom's middle name is Ann.  
Laken Amelia = The "ken" is for my father in law and the "mel" is for my dad.

Let's chat and get to know one another!

Teaser Tuesday ~ The House that Love Built ~ 3/26/13

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Here's my teaser for this week is from:

~"He was still in love with a woman he couldn't stand.  And for that...he didn't like himself very much either."~

"The House that Love Built"
Series:  N/A
Author:  Beth Wiseman
Page 8

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Happy Teaser Tuesday!

Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop ~ Ends 4/2

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and The Book Rat and A Backwards Story

Fairy Tales are for young and old.  I don't think we ever outgrow the fantasy and magic that surrounds a good fairy tale.  I remember imagining that I was a character in a fairy tale.  Maybe Snow White or Repunzel.

This book sounds a bit like a Cinderella or Anastasia story to me:

"A Countess Below Stairs"
 by Eva Ibbotson

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me what fairy tale character most reflects YOUR character and why.  Have fun with it!

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do :)

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, April 2, 2013.  The winner will be emailed on April 3rd.

For more chances to win great bookishness,

check out these other giveaway hoppers :

Getting to Know: Megan AKA Absolute Mommy ~ and a Birthday Party Giveaway!!!

I've been following Megan at Absolute Mommy for quite a while now.  I absolutely adore her and her blog!  She agreed to be featured in my new Getting to Know You series and we quickly discovered that not only are our birthdays only 2 days apart (March 24th and March 26th) but that we are also both turning the big 3-5 this year!  Whoot!

We quickly decided that we need to throw a Bloggy Birthday Party!  And here we are :)

Without further ado, here are some fun facts about Megan:

Celebrity crush: Currently, Jennifer Lawrence.  Forever: Jimmy Fallon

Favorite authors: First thought: Francesca Lia Block Currently: Elin Hilderbrand, Forever: EB White and Laura Ingalls

Favorite book: Like Picking a favorite child, ok: Currently: A Fault in Our Stars, Hunger Games Trilogy, Forever: Love Story (and not in a cliche way)

Favorite food: Avocados, they make everything better

Go-to beverage of choice: Izze Soda: clementine

Favorite Outfit: Jeans, top, Toms

Favorite Accessory: Scarves and Toms

What's your blog/website(s)?

http://www.absolutemommy.blogspot.com

Why do you blog/write? What do you hope to accomplish with blogging?It started out as something I could call mine.  I didn't feel like I had anything that was mine anymore after motherhood.  Then I remembered how much I loved writing, so I took a chance.  I've been blogging two years, and I'm hoping to either freelance for magazines and newspapers, or write a book.  On my dreaming big days, I dream of doing both.

What's the latest goings-on that you would want others to know about?I'm working right now.  It's a seasonal gig, but getting blog time has been hard, so please don't forget about me, and don't give up on me.  I'll be back to full time blogging soon.

Any words of encouragement or wisdom to impart?Always blog your true self.  Even if it's bad, even if it's good.  Don't edit you for the sake of your blog.  Also motherhood can be a real crap shoot so whatever you are doing that works for you is the best.  Horrible mothers are like big foot, someone always swears they see one, but it's mostly imagined.

Where can readers connect with you online?

Where ever they'd like.  I'm mostly addicted to Instagram and Twitter if that helps.

AbsoluteMommy Blog

http://www.absolutemommy.blogspot.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Absolute-Mommy/143318535691981     

Twitter

https://twitter.com/#!/AbsoluteMommy

BlogLovin                                                                 

http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/3233850/absolute-mommy

Pinterest

http://pinterest.com/absolutemommy/pins/

Hello Cotton

http://www.hellocotton.com/mypage/absolutemommy

 Instagram

http://web.stagram.com/n/absolutemommy/

GIVEAWAY

Even though tomorrow is Megan's birthday, today she is giving a gift to YOU!

She is going to give away a $15 Gift Card for Starbucks AND a Featured Spot on her sidebar!

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To enter:

+5 ~ Tweet, facebook or blog about the giveaway

+3 ~ Follow Absolute Mommy through any of her above social networks 

+2 ~ Follow Absolute Mommy's Blog

+1 ~ Go tell Megan "Happy Birthday!"

Please leave a comment telling me the ways you have entered and a way to contact you!

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Kay's Korner ~ Snow Day Art ~ 3/24/13

"Kay's Korner"

is a feature here at Colletta's Kitchen Sink.  It will consist of book reviews and art by my 11-year-old daughter, Kaylee.  She is very excited about this feature and I will be sure to pass along any encouraging comments to her.

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Snow Day

by Kaylee

Drawn Free-Hand

Tea Time ~ The Twins ~ 3/22/13

Won't you come meet Alissa , me and the girls for a coffee date,

or in my case, hot chocolate with whipped cream or maybe a chai tea?

Hello, friends!  I hope you're having a good week.  How about some Tea Time chatting about things that made me smile this week :)

One huge thing happened in our family this week and I'm bursting to tell you about "them"!

Introducing my newest "nephews" born March 19th:

On the left:  Chance Charles G. = 6lb 14 oz

On the right:  Connor Charles G. = 6lb 7oz

Aren't they just too sweet?!?!?

What has made you smile this week?

Kick-Butt Characters Giveaway Hop ~ YA~ Ends 3/28

This blog hop is hosted by

 I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Good Choice Reading

Up for grabs is:

"Aurelia"
 by Anne Osterlund

To enter the giveaway:

*Mandatory-  Leave a comment telling me your thoughts on the cover of this book.  Do you think she could kick someone's butt?  lol

*Extra-  Follow my blog and leave a second comment telling me that you do :)

The giveaway will run until 11:59pm EST, March 28, 2013.  The winner will be emailed on March 29th.

For more chances to win great bookishness,

check out these other giveaway hoppers :

Crocheting the Miles ~ 3/22/13

Crocheting a one row for every 3 miles (5K) walked to make a "Life-ghan" with Cris.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

365 Miles in 365 Days Challenge

Total Miles This Week:  8

Total Miles in 2013:  73

Rows allowed:  26

Rows completed: 26

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60 Miles in 60 Days

2/1-4/1

Getting started today :)  Hopefully!
2/1/13-2/7/13 = 10 miles
2/8/13-2/14/13 = 7 miles
2/15/13-2/21/13 = 6 miles
2/22/13-2/28/13 = 7 miles
3/1/13-3/7/13 = 7 miles
3/8/13-3/14/13 = 4 miles
3/15/13-3/21/13 = 8 miles

Total:  49/60

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