My Personal Reviews

On the Move

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Dear Readers,
I am joining forces with my sister in a new blog called Showcase Sisters where I will be posting all My Personal Reviews, contest information, etc. I will leave this blog open for viewing until everyone can make the switch. I appreciate each and everyone of you and I hope to see you over at Showcase Sisters!
Sincerely,
Sheila

Wildflower Bride (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy is book three from the Montana Marriages Series.

Book Description from the author's website: " Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead tribe, has never met a man she didn't want to pull a knife on, including the man who's determined to marry her. Glowing Sun has vague memories of her former life, including a name—Abby Lind. When she’s forced to sever all links with her adopted Indian family, Abby wonders if she’ll ever find a home again. Tenderhearted Wade Sawyer, responsible for Abby’s survival during the village massacre, convinces the knife-wielding woman to return with him to the Sawyer Ranch, never realizing danger lurks behind every corner. Can they survive long enough to fall in love?"

My Personal Review: This book not only told Glowing Sun aka Abby's story, intertwined with Wade Sawyer's, but it also revealed more about the lives of Cassie & Red Dawson as well as Belle & Silas Harden. I enjoyed this book and how the story lines of all three couples came to an end, but it was not as compelling to me as the first two books were. That said, if you read the first two books, you will definitely want to read this one.

Genre: Christian Romance Fiction

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Beguiled (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

I recently read Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand. This book was the first collaboration project between the two authors. Gist is known for her historical romance, Bertrand for his mystery novels.

Book Description from the author's website: "In the shadows of Charleston, someone is watching her ... Rylee Monroe, a dogwalker in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her. Reporter Logan Woods is covering the break-ins with the hope of publishing them as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything. As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything?"

My Personal Review: I was immediately taken in by the story and my interest never waned. The story is written so seamlessly that if I had not known better, I would have believed it all written by just one person. I highly recommend it!

You can read and excerpt here.

Genre: Modern Christian Romance Fiction

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The Adventure Begins Giveaway

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and Amanda Bennett Unit Studies have teamed up to celebrate the successful launch of Download N Go™ with a Sweet Treat Prize Package in The Adventure Begins ... Giveaway! They're offering one (1) lucky winner the SWEET chance to go EXPLORING this FALL!

Enter The Adventure Begins Giveaway for a chance to win:

The entire FALL curriculum lineup of Download N Go™ (Wow! That's 19 studies!).
A $25 gift certificate to Baskin-Robbins (yummy ice cream).
A $25 gift certificate to Amazon.com (for those back-to-school supplies).
A $15 gift certificate to Starbucks Coffee (a special treat just for the teacher).
A full year's subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (encouragement and resources all year long).
A "sweet" blue and brown Homeschooling With Heart tote bag (THE must-have accessory for FALL!).

Contest will run May 24 and through June 12!

Read the Official Rules

From A Distance (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

From A Distance by Tamera Alexander is book one from the Timber Ridge Reflections Series.

Book Description: "Determined to become one of the country's premier newspaper photographers, Elizabeth Westbrook travels to the Colorado Territory to capture the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the remote town of Timber Ridge. She hopes, too, that the cool, dry air of Colorado, and its renowned hot springs, will cure the mysterious illness that threatens her career, and her life.

Daniel Ranslett, a former Confederate sharpshooter, is a man shackled by his past, and he'll do anything to protect his land, and his solitude. When an outspoken Yankee photographer captures an image that appears key to solving a murder, putting herself in danger, Daniel is called upon to repay a debt. He's a man of his word, but repaying that debt could bring secrets from his past to light.

Forced on a perilous journey together, Daniel and Elizabeth's lives intertwine in ways neither could have imagined when first they met . . . from a distance."

My Personal Review: This is the first book I have read by Alexander and I am happy to have done so. Though this story started off a little slow for me, it soon got into a good pace and kept it for the remainder of the book. The historical tidbits seem natural and not forced as sometimes happens with historical fiction - a very big plus in my book. I will be adding more of Alexander's books to my reading list!

You can read and excerpt here.

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Fiction

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“Choose You Get Healthy” Giveaway

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

*** And the Winner is... #9, Jenna Wood who said "I maintain a healthy lifestyle by eliminating sodas and sugary drinks, and drinking water instead!" Congratulations Jenna! ***

{this was a redraw as the original winner never responded}

The subject of cancer awareness is near and dear to my heart. With loved ones, both past and present, who have had cancer, I am all for sharing the information, tools and support that I find.

The American Cancer Society, the nation’s largest voluntary health organization, launched a new nationwide movement to shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic: one in three women will get cancer in her lifetime. Choose You is designed to inspire women to take action and put their health first in order to stay well and help prevent cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, about half of all cancer deaths could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise; avoided tobacco products; and got recommended cancer screening tests.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to incorporate these healthy behaviors into a busy lifestyle. In fact, a new national survey of approximately 2,000 women ages 25-64 revealed that they are so busy being caretakers of others, they have little time to take care of their own health.

As a way to inspire women to take action and put their health first, the American Cancer Society has provided me with one (1) “Choose You Get Healthy” gift bag to give to one of my readers. Included is a Choose You woman's t-shirt, a $10 Walgreens Gift Card, Neutrogena Sunscreen, a Choose You lead-free water bottle, a hair clip, coupons for Sprite Zero, pens and a Choose You pin.

* For your chance to win a “Choose You Get Healthy” gift bag, answer this question [this one rule must be followed for entry]:
How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle?

* If you do not have an active blog or an email address on your blog profile, leave a valid email address, in long form, with your comment.

* Giveaway entries must be received by 9:00 AM EST on Friday, May 28, 2010.

* 1 winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified both here at My Personal Reviews and via email.

* The winner will have 3 days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, the giveaway will go to the next person on the list.

* Open to US and Canada only.

{Disclosure: Free product, information, and gift pack from the American Cancer Society.}

The Husband Tree (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy is book two from the Montana Marriages Series.

Book Description: " Standing over her third no-account husband's grave, Belle Tanner makes a vow - no more men. Now all she needs to do is get her cattle to market before winter sets in. When Belle hires the drifter Silas Harden to help her get her cattle to market, the last thing she’s looking for is romance. So why does she turn into jelly whenever he’s near? Although he's determined never to get tangled up with womenfolk again, he can’t seem to resist the pull of love when it comes to Belle, nor the way Belle and her four daughters seem to bring out the protector in him. When a group of cowpokes, along with a white woman named Glowing Sun who was raised by the Shoshone, show up along the drive, Belle has her hands full. Will anyone get through this treacherous cattle drive unscathed and unhitched?"

My Personal Review: The last book left Belle's story with a cliffhanger, she was in labor and her third husband Anthony had just about left her for dead. So as bad it is may seem, I was happy to see that he was no longer a part of her life, but even more happy for Belle and her daughters to finally find a man that they could count on, one who would love and care for them. I was as pleased with this book as I have been with all of the others and now I can't wait to see how Glowing Sun's story unfolds in the next book!

Genre: Christian Romance Fiction

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Calico Canyon (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:00:00 +0000

I just finished reading Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy which is book 2 from the Lassoed in Texas series. Even though I have read this series out-of-order, it has still been enjoyable.

Product Description: "Trying to make a better life for hersef, Grace Calhoun has escaped her abusive adopted father and is on the run. She ends up in Mosqueros, Texas where she finds work as a school teacher. In her attempt to escape the clutches of her father, a relentless pursuer, she runs smack dab into even more trouble with the 6R's - widower Daniel Reeves, along with his five rowdy sons. When a marriage is forced upon this hapless pair - two people who couldn't dislike each other more - an avalanche isn't the only potential danger lurking amid the shadows of Calico Canyon. Will they make it out alive? Or end up killing each other in the process?"

My Personal Review: Like Connealy's other books, this one was also laced with suspense that went beyond the romantic story. The characters are so well written that it is easy to love or detest them as the author has intended. The pacing is set perfectly so that even though every moment is not heart-pounding, there is also never dull moment. I highly recommend this series!

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Fiction

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Montana Rose (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Montana Rose by Mary Connealy is book one from the Montana Marriages Series.

Brief Description: " Spoiled and pregnant, Cassie Griffin is widowed one day and married to handyman Red Dawson the next! Red was reluctant because she's an unbeliever, but he didn't have much choice. Will he change her heart by changing her name? And how far will admirer Wade Sawyer go to save Cassie from her marriage of convenience?"

My Personal Review: I was blown away at how gripping I found this story from the very beginning. The author made sure there was never a dull moment with well written intrigues and character relationships. I am looking forward to reading more by Connealy, especially the next book in this series, as she is a word-master!

Genre: Christian Romance Fiction

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My Dearest Mr. Darcy (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I recently finished reading My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An amazing journey into love everlasting by Sharon Lathan. It is the third book of the Darcy Saga series.

Back Cover Description: " Darcy is more deeply in love with his wife than ever. As the golden summer draws to a close and the Darcys look ahead to the end of their first year of marriage, Mr. Darcy could never have imagined his love could grow even deeper with the passage of time. Lizzy is full of surprises. She is unpredictable and lively, pulling Darcy out of his stern and serious demeanor with her teasing and temptation. Looking ahead and planning for celebrations and life events large and small, Lizzy can still catch Darcy unawares when he least expects it. But surprising events force the Darcys to weather absence and illness, and to discover whether they can find a way to build a bond of everlasting love and desire. The romance and bewitchment is never-ending... "

My Personal Review: I am an Austen Fan and having read the first two books of this series, I was looking forward to the third. I loved the continuing story, but I felt that the plot was somewhat lacking. There were only a few surprises, but nothing very dramatic. The minor character story-line developments were a plus, but with Darcy and Lizzy, there wasn't much of a change. Their baby is born adding another facet to their lives, but even the gender of the baby is well surmised before the actual birth. That said, I am looking forward to the fourth installment where "Lizzy and Darcy with their growing infant are the stars, but the family members play a part."

Genre: Regency Romance Fiction

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Any Lucky Day's iPad Giveaway

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Enter the Any Lucky Day iPad Giveaway for a chance to win an iPad!

Once on the site, watch the video first, as it will tell you how to enter. But, if for some reason you can't see the video, here is what you need to do:
Step 1: Follow Any Lucky Day on Twitter (if you use Twitter)
Step 2: Become an Any Lucky Day Fan on Facebook (if you use Facebook)
Step 3: Post a comment saying that you follow Any Lucky Day on either Twitter or fanned Any Lucky Day on Facebook or say you did both. Be sure to leave your usernames so they can track it.
Step 4: Click the Retweet & Facebook Share buttons, & suggest the Facebook Fan Page to your friends.

1 iPad will be given away once Any Lucky Day has 15,000 followers on Twitter
1 iPad will be given away once Any Lucky Day has 10,000 Fans or "Likes" on Facebook

This contest will run for as long as it takes to reach those goals. Remember, the more people you tell, the faster this spreads!
Open to US & Canadian residents only.
Only ONE COMMENT PER PERSON. You will be disqualified for multiple comments.
See the complete iPad Rules.

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A Seahorse in the Thames (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

I just finished reading A Seahorse in the Thames by Susan Meissner.

Product Description: " Alexa Poole intended to spend her week off from work quietly recuperating from minor surgery. But when carpenter Stephen Moran falls into her life— or rather off of her roof—the unexpected happens. His sweet, gentle disposition proves more than she can resist and now she’s falling for him. Her older sister, Rebecca, has lived at the Falkman Residential Center since a car accident left her mentally compromised—vulnerable, innocent. Now, 17 years later, she has vanished, leaving Alexa fearing the worst. After Alexa places a call to her twin sister in England and despite a strained separation from her family—Priscilla agrees to come home for a visit. As Alexa begins the search for Rebecca, disturbing questions surface like why did the car that Rebecca was riding in swerve off the road killing her college friend, Leanne McNeil? And what about the mysterious check for $50,000 found in Rebecca’s room signed by her friend’s father, Gavin McNeil "

My Personal Review: This book is written in first person which I always find very interesting. The stories and characters are written so well, so realistically, that I had to remind myself that this was a fictional tale. In the Author's note to the readers, she says this book is "about finding beauty in an unexpected place... if we don't look for those snippets of splendor, we may miss them altogether." Although I didn't initially get that from the story, I did walk away with yet more examples of how the power of forgiveness can heal, of how it can bring peace to a person's life. This was a great book and I will be adding Meissner's other books to my must read list!

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

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Gingham Mountain (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

I just finished reading Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy which happens to be book 3 from the Lassoed in Texas series. I did not realize this when I picked it up, but thankfully, the story was well contained.

Product Description: "Grant Cooper, a rancher, runs head-on into the new school marm, Hannah Cartwright, who believes he's made slave labor out of eight orphaned children. Grant crowds too many orphans into his rickety house, just like Hannah's cruel father. Grant's family of orphans have been mistreated too many times by judgmental school teachers. Now the new schoolmarm is the same except she's so pretty and she isn't really bad to his children, it's Grant she can't stand. "

My Personal Review: This book was laced with suspense that went beyond the romantic story, it included a couple of con artists whose sinister plans involved attempted murder. I knew that I would find a happily ever after ending, but I was not sure how it would all turn out. I like that it was full of surprises or dependable when I needed it to be. Now I will have to find the first two books of this series and read them as well!

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Fiction

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The Plainsman (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0000

The Plainsman by Lori Copeland is book 4 from the Men of the Saddle series.

Product Description: "Trey McAllister is on his way home to Tyrone, Kansas, after three years away fighting in the Union Army. Trey is riding past Sassy Gap, Louisiana, when he sees a fire blazing out of control. He stops to help and discovers that the entire town is made up of eight women who live together and run a funeral parlor. Mira Dupree instantly catches his attention. Trey soon discovers that Mira's tyrant father is the one harassing the women of the town. Loving Mira could ruin Trey's life, but he just can't help himself. Through determination and true love, Trey and Mira face their hardships together as they struggle to make a life in the Old West. "

My Personal Review: Though this is the last installment of the series, the timeline places this story before the other books. Before the end, two of the previous characters make a special appearance to help keep the stories intertwined. My favorite part of this book (beyond the love story) is the reminder of the healing power that comes with forgiveness. To paraphrase Trey McAllister, Life is what you make of it - if you sow bitterness and pride, you will reap pain and loss. How better to find the peace and freedom that comes with forgiveness!

Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance Fiction

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Simply... Go-Gurt Review and Giveaway

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0000

*** And the Winner is: #2, Ames who answered "Yogurt and Applesauce (not at the same time!)". Congratulations! ***

New Simply… Go-Gurt is made from simple ingredients moms look for and contains no high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors or flavors. Each convenient portable yogurt tube contains a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Simply stated, Simply… Go-Gurt is a good-for-you, low fat yogurt snack that you can feel good about giving to your kids.

New Simply… Go-Gurt is available in two kid-friendly flavors, Strawberry and Mixed Berry.

Taste Test: The kids loved the flavor and texture of the yogurt. The on-the-go packaging makes it easier for them to pack it into their school lunches and saves the hassle of remembering a spoon!

SAVE!!! The micro-site below is loaded with great tips and 30 free coupons, so the first 30 readers who click on the "Try It Free" tab will receive a coupon for a free package of Simply...Go-Gurt!*

* After the 30 coupons are claimed, the micro site will include a link to a $1.10 off coupon so everyone who visits can share in the savings!
*This coupon offer for free Simply… Go-Gurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee.

To help spread the word about this new product, I am giving away one (1) Simply... Go-Gurt "Simplify Your Life" gift pack that includes Go-Gurt (yogurt), a pocket Etch a Sketch, weekly planner and a seat back organizer.

* For your chance to win a Simply... Go-Gurt "Simplify Your Life" gift pack, answer this question [this one rule must be followed for entry]:
What wholesome snacks make your child (or the children in your life) smile?

* If you do not have an active blog or an email address on your blog profile, leave a valid email address, in long form, with your comment.

* Giveaway entries must be received by 9:00 AM EST on Friday, April 16th, 2010.

* 1 winner will be selected via Random.org and will be notified both here at My Personal Reviews and via email.

* The winner will have 3 days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, the giveaway will go to the next person on the list.

* Open to US and Canada only.

{Disclosure: Free product, information, and gift pack from Yoplait through My Blog Spark.}

Celebrate Life Truffles & Cocoa Almonds

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:30:00 +0000

I was sent Celebrate Life Chocolate Truffles and Chocolate Cocoa Covered Almonds by a lovely woman I met through my design site. The Celebrate Chocolate Truffles come in five, all natural flavors:
Celebrate Truffle Classics:
* Dark Chocolate with 73% cocoa
* Light Chocolate with 62% cocoa
and the Celebrate Truffle Creations:
* Cherry Vanilla, with three types of real cherries
* Roasted Almond Bits, with almond pieces throughout
* Mountain Raspberry, with real, tart fruit

From the Celebrate Life website
Celebrate Life Chocolates:
* Satisfy your hunger - Rich, never-bitter, rare cocoa from an ancient recipe
* Curb cravings - Quickly absorbed nutrients deliver quick satisfaction
* Maximize your nutrition - Concentrated nutrients from 59 whole foods
* Increase your Omega 3/DHA - Feed your heart and brain these vital nutrients
* Boost your antioxidants - Premium cocoa delivers superb natural antioxidants
* Naturalize your beauty - Smoother skin, silkier hair, stronger nails
* Enjoy Low Glycemic Chocolate - for those who watch their blood sugar
* Delightfully 100% All Natural

Celebrate Life tips for controlling your appetite and cutting your cravings:
* Eat BEFORE you are hungry
* Don't eat appetizers, or have drinks before your meal
* Eat a lot of different, highly nutritious foods
* Savor Celebrate Chocolates 20 minutes before a meal, or whenever you start to think you are getting hungry or have persistent cravings

Taste Test: I found all of the truffles to be sweet and decadent. Often when I am craving something sweet, I want chocolate - and these are the perfect solution to that. I usually have afternoon cravings and have found that I can keep them at bay successfully with just one or two of these chocolates!

{Disclosure: Free product and product information have been provided to me by Celebrate Life through Celebrate Woman Today}

The Maverick (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:30:00 +0000

The Maverick by Lori Copeland is book 3 from the Men of the Saddle series.

Product Description: "Six years ago, Susanne McCord tricked Cass Claxton into marrying her in a shotgun wedding. They haven't seen each other since that day, but when they cross paths again, everything has changed. Susanne has mended her ways at least some of them and she needs Cass to help her transport nine orphans cross country in a covered wagon. They drive each other crazy as they encounter challenges along the trail, but through it all they find themselves falling in love as well. Who would've thought that a maverick like Cass could actually succeed in winning Susanne's stubborn heart?"

My Personal Review: Like the other books so far in this series, It flowed well and kept a good pace. When I read book 2, I knew we would be seeing Susan McCord again - she is too strong a character to keep quiet. Near the end of the book, I found myself relating to Susan - She made plans, then expected God to bless them, running ahead of what God had in store for her... she realized she had never really trusted Him. A part of her had always held back, wanting to be in control. Having thoroughly enjoyed this book, I can't wait to get my hand on the fourth and final installment of this series.

Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance Fiction

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CVS Photo Center

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Sign up for free at the CVS photo center and you'll get up to 50 free prints when you join!

Includes Free photo storage and sharing.

HERSHEY’S Better Basket Virtual Giveaway

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:13:00 +0000

I saw this over at The Zen of Motherhood and just had to join in!

This Easter season, HERSHEY’S is celebrating it’s new Easter products sold exclusively at Walmart and their legacy of making a difference and Hershey’s will donate $7,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network.

How can you join? It’s simple:
* Participate to HERSHEY’S Better Basket Blog Hop of giving away virtual Easter Baskets by creating a blog post with specific rules described here.
* HERSHEY’S will donate $7,000 for CMN
* You can give as many virtual Easter baskets as you want.
* The HERSHEY’S Better Basket Blog Hop will officially begin at 12 AM EST on March 18th and end at 12 PM EST on April 4th, 2010. Blog posts submitted to us before or after that time period will not be counted for.
* The blog post link has to be submitted to us for your participation to be counted.
* In addition copy and paste the following text in your blog post:

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES:
* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.
* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.
* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.
* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.
* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.
* This started as a meme of HERSHEY’S donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network up to $5,000 – but after so many bloggers participating, HERSHEY’S decided to donate a total of $7,000 honoring the kindness of blogger community .

Please join in a donate a virtual basket today!

One True Love (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

One True Love by Lori Copeland is book three in the Belles of Timber Creek series. I had been waiting for this book to hit my local library as soon as it came out this month.

Product Description: "Copper is overjoyed that her friends Willow and Audrey found love and fulfillment after the war. The only remaining spinster, Copper vows to pour herself into her new teaching job. But tragedy strikes during her very first week. The schoolhouse catches fire and Copper suffers a serious injury while ushering her students to safety. Suddenly she's on a wagon train bound for Colorado to see the only doctor who can help her walk again. Ever since the wagon train pulled into town, Copper butted heads with wagon master Josh Redlin—and now she must depend on him for her very life. But as Copper is forced to count on others for life's basic needs, she starts to surrender...and let her guard down around the one man whom she's despised for so long. Could it be that the very person that drives her crazy is the one she truly needs?"

My Personal Review: This final installment was a fine finish to the series. Although the main characters are headstrong and the phrase "opposites attract" comes into my mind when they are around each other, how they relate to each other is very believable.

The author stated that she tries to take away a personal lesson from her stories - and from this one it was "Into everyone's life, rain falls." How very true!

Genre: Christian Historical Romance Fiction

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The Drifter (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

The Drifter by Lori Copeland is book 2 from the Men of the Saddle series.

Product Description: "Charity Burk is determined to find a husband to help her save her homestead. When she discovers the unconscious and injured cowboy Beau Claxton on her land, she decides her prayers have been answered..."

My Personal Review: This book had its share of twists and turns. Some were predictable, but it did not take away from the book's charm. It was a heart-warming story that emphasized how love sometimes happens when you least expect it and how everything is ultimately in God's hands.

Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance Fiction

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Kellogg’s FiberPlus Antioxidants Bars Review & Giveaway

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:10:00 +0000

***Updated to Announce Winners***

Random Sequence Generator
Here is your sequence:

6 (Tina Reynolds)
3 (CherCroppin)
5
4
1
2
Timestamp: 2010-03-25 13:08:38 UTC

***Congratulations!***

As someone who enjoys chewy granola bars, I was more than happy for the opportunity to perform my very own taste test of the new Kellogg's FiberPlus Antioxidants Bars. The new bars are available in three flavors: Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Almond and Chocolatey Peanut Butter. The bars have 120 - 130 calories, 4 - 5 grams of fat, 2 -3 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber per bar. The bars have chocolate drizzled on top and the bottoms have been dipped in chocolate as well.

From Kellogg's FiberPlus: The majority of Americans aren’t getting the fiber, whole grains, vitamins or minerals1 vital to a healthy diet. Eating Kellogg’s FiberPlus bars helps supply many of the things people are missing.
· Fiber: Less than 10% of Americans are getting enough fiber daily ~ Kellogg’s FiberPlus bars provide 35% of your daily fiber.
· Antioxidants: Less than 10% of Americans get enough of the antioxidant vitamin E ~ Kellogg’s FiberPlus bars contain vitamin E as well as zinc. .
· Whole Grains: 80% of Americans aren’t getting enough whole grains ~ Kellogg’s FiberPlus contains 7 grams of whole grains.
· Calcium: Calcium is an essential mineral for building strong bones ~ Kellogg’s FiberPlus provides calcium and so much more!
[View More Nutritional Information Here]

Taste Test: All three flavors were chewy, chocolatey and very tasty! I was kind enough to share at each bar with the other members of my family and all three agreed with my assessment - the bars are very good! I believe that fiber is important, but sometimes with our schedules, our diets do not always give us what we need. These bars are just the thing to help us achieve our fiber goals in a yummy way!

Can't wait to try them? Then be sure to print this coupon and save yourself some money!

To help spread the word about these products, I am giving away two (2) Kellogg’s FiberPlus Antioxidants Bar taste test packages. (as seen in the above photo)

* For your chance to win a Kellogg’s FiberPlus Antioxidants Bar taste test package, answer this question [this one rule must be followed for entry]:
Which FiberPlus Antioxidants Bar flavor sounds yummiest to you?

* If you do not have an active blog or an email address on your blog profile, leave a valid email address, in long form, with your comment.

* Giveaway entries must be received by 9:00 AM EST on Thursday, March 25th, 2010.

* 2 winners will be selected via Random.org and will be notified both here at My Personal Reviews and via email.

* The winners will have 3 days to claim their prize. If unclaimed, the giveaway will go to the next person on the list.

* Open to US and Canada only.

{Disclosure: Free product, information, and taste test packages have been provided by Kellogg's.}

Free Recipe Box... and more!

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Springpad is a free personal organizer to keep favorite web pages in one place: recipes, notes, restaurants, books, movies, music, tasks & more. Users can share their favorite items with friends via email, Facebook, or Twitter. You can get your stored information whenever you need it and access everything on your mobile phone. Springpad has many free applications to help users plan.

I am a list maker and this is a handy way to keep all of my lists, recipes, etc., in one place!

The Silent Governess (book)

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0000

I just finished reading The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen. As a fan Mrs. Klassen, I was very happy to receive this book as a birthday gift from my husband!

Product Description: "Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his. But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home. He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something."

My Personal Review: Like Klassen's other books, this one was finely woven with rich characters and a story line that stayed strong throughout. There were many twists and turns and I am glad that the mysteries were each resolved in their own time. I really loved this book!

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction Romance

compliance disclosure

Pillsbury Sweet Rolls

blogdesignsbysheila@gmail.com (Sheila) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Now you can make your Weekend Breakfast even sweeter with simple tips and recipes from popular chef and TV host, Sandra Lee. The new Sweet Roll Recipes are perfect with a cup of coffee or juice and make for a wonderful weekend treat. These new easy recipes were developed by Sandra Lee exclusively for Pillsbury.com:
* Apple Walnut Sticky Buns
* Cinnamon Roll French Toast
* Caramel Pecan Buns
* Peanut Butter Banana Sweet Rolls
* Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cinnamon Rolls

Yesterday, I made the Cinnamon Roll French Toast
INGREDIENTS
1 can (12.4 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
DIRECTIONS
1. Bake cinnamon rolls as directed on package. Let rolls cool completely.
2. Spray griddle or 10-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F (My griddle is a little temperamental, so I cooked mine at 350°F) or heat skillet over medium heat. Slice each roll in half crosswise.
3. In shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and the vanilla until blended. Dip each cinnamon roll slice into egg mixture, turning to coat completely. Place on griddle. Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
4. In small bowl, whisk reserved icing, the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and enough warm water to create a pourable syrup consistency. Serve over French toast.

These were so yummy and my kids really loved them! Next time, I will have to try the Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cinnamon Rolls - those look delicious!

Save yourself some money - print this coupon to save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls.

{Disclosure: Free product and Information have been provided to me by Pillsbury and General Mills}