Back to School with Mabel's Labels

It's never too early to begin planning for the next school year! Help the little scholars in your life stay organized with Mabel's Labels. Identify your children's belongings when they go off to school with Ultimate Back to School Combo. The set includes laundry-safe tags for clothing, waterproof labels for shoes, dishwasher safe tags for lunch containers, and even metal tags to attach to zippers on jackets and backpacks! 

Save $3 and receive a coupon for $5 off a Laptop Lunches Bento Box (while supplies last) when you purchase the Ultimate Back to School Combo. Hurry, because this early bird pricing expires on 7/31. 

Mabel's Labels now offers free shipping to the US on all orders! No minimum purchase necessary. Save with early bird pricing and take advantage of free shipping by shopping Mabel's Labels! 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with affiliate links.

Sunday Shout Out 37

Recently, I introduced a new feature here at In the Hammock on Sundays. It's called "Sunday Shout Out" and it's a place where I can give a special shout out to those publishers and authors who have sent me books over the week, as well as those bloggers who have hosted contests that I've won! I'll also be giving shout outs to any other cool books, blogs or bookish news that I've spotted during the week.

For Review

"Marilyn's Red Diary" by E.Z. Friedel

  

Contest Wins

"Parlor Games" by Maryka Biaggio

Won from The Book Diva's Reads

Contests

While you're here, check out the contests currently running at In the Hammock!

Win "If the Shoe Fits" 7/05

Win 4 Books by Vicky Dreiling 7/12

Layla Grace Project Nursery Event and Contest!

As part of Project Nursery’s Skip*Hop Nursery Design event, Layla Grayce joined actress Tiffani Thiessen, Joy Cho of Oh Joy! and Joni Lay of Lay Baby Lay in a baby room design contest!  Each participant was challenged to design a beautiful nursery on a budget! Check out what they came up with!

Vote for Layla Grayce as your favorite nursery design and you could win a Skip*Hop Springtime Birds Musical Crib Mobile (pictured below) and $100 Layla Grayce gift card! Not one but THREE winners will win a mobile and a $100 shopping spree towards Layla Grayce! If you don't have little ones, Layla Grace offers beautiful home decor and women's accessories, too! Hurry, because this contest ends on July 10th! Vote Now!


Skip Hop Springtime Birds Musical Crib Mobile


For more information on this contest, visit: http://www.laylagrayce.com/blog/2013/06/20/project-nurserys-skiphop-nursery-design-event/. 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with affiliate links

Reminder: Google Reader is Shutting Down July 1

I have already posted about this, but if you haven't moved your Google Reader info,
now is the time to do it :)

(If you have already read this post, I apologize, I'm just trying to get the word out!)


Google Reader is disappearing next month!!

(image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy)

Instead of panicking, I wanted to give you some other ways to follow In the Hammock :)

Follow by Email:

Subscribe to In the Hammock Book Reviews by Email

Enter your email address:


Delivered by FeedBurner

Bloglovin:

You can also import ALL of the blogs you follow with Google into your Bloglovin feed! Go to your Settings and look for Import Blogs!

Feedly:

Feedly is so easy! All you have to do is sign in with your Google account, and it automatically moves your Google Reader settings, including folders, etc!

There is even a page of FAQs about migrating your account to Feedly

Twitter:

Pinterest:

Thanks, everyone!! Let me know in the comments if you are following in any of these new ways and I'll try to follow you back as well, so we can all try to keep up! Also, let me know of any other ways you are trying to stay updated on blogs!

Vicky Dreiling 4 Book Romance Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of her new book, "What a Wicked Earl Wants", the first in the Sinful Scoundrels series, Vicky has generously provided an autographed prize pack of FOUR of her books for a lucky reader of my blog!


"What a Wicked Earl Wants"
 by Vicky Dreiling

Publisher: Forever
Release Date: My 28, 2012
Source: sent by the author

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

WILL A RAKE'S WICKED WAYS
Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it's fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for ...

LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?

It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar's daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura's good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ...

My Review:

The aspect that I love most about this author's books are the adorable supporting characters! My favorite scenes always involve the interactions and relationships between the leads and their best friends/families. This one is no different, because I just loved the scenes with Bell and his friends, Colin and Harry. They were so fun and also realistic. It seemed like real conversations between friends. These interactions also gave a feel for the time and place of the novel, what a group of spoiled gentlemen of the ton!

I found myself looking forward to the scenes with Colin and Harry, and the rest of the book was only okay for me. There really wasn't anything that I disliked, I just wasn't drawn in to Laura and Bell's story for some reason. Bell wasn't especially likable to me, and Laura wasn't feisty enough.

Even though the romance was a bit underwhelming for me, the author does a great job of setting up and writing a 'classic' regency romance. I think fans of that style, with the witty banter and 'ton' gossip will be swept away by the story. The writing is so witty and you really get a sense of the world the characters live in.

Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5

Bottom Line: Regency romance fans will love the world built by the author. The supporting characters really made the story come alive.


Read more about Vicky and her books:  
http://vickydreiling.com/
https://twitter.com/vickydreiling
https://www.facebook.com/vickydreilinghistoricalauthor 

Giveaway:

The winner of the contest will receive:

"What a Wicked Earl Wants"
"How to Ravish a Rake" (Read my Review)
"How to Seduce a Scoundrel" (Read my Review) 
"How to Marry a Duke" (Read my Review)

Please leave a comment for Vicky, she will be stopping by to say hi to all of you!

GIVEAWAY RULES

The author has generously provided autographed copies of  her four books to a lucky reader of my blog.

All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

• US only
• Books will be mailed out by the author
• Must be 18 or over 

• Ends July 12

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight: "Jack Absolute"

"Jack Absolute"
by C.C. Humphreys
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Source: N/A
Release Date: May 7, 2013

The following description is from goodreads.com:

A new historical adventure series starring the dashing Jack Absolute that has already been called "the finest historical novels since O'Brian." (Good Book Guide UK)

In 1777 Jack Absolute, the charming lover in Sheridan's comedy The Rivals, is famous throughout London. However, this notoriety comes as something of a shock to the real Jack Absolute when he arrives in England after four months at sea. But there's barely time for outrage before he finds himself dueling for his life. Even worse, as soon as he's won the duel he's forced to flee London by the quickest means possible, becoming a spy in America's war of Independence.

Thus we meet Jack Absolute - rogue, duellist, charmer and Captain in the Light Dragoons. From the field of honor in London through the pivotal battle of Saratoga to a hunt for a double agent in wintry Philadelphia, this novel marks the impressive debut of this new series.

Author Bio (from the publisher):

C.C. Humphreys is a novelist, fight choreographer, and actor who played Jack Absolute in The Rivals for a six-month run in London in the mid-1980s. When he became a full-time writer a decade ago, he decided to transform his leading man into a title character. Humphreys has written seven historical fiction novels including The French Executioner, which was runner-up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers 2002. The Jack Absolute series will feature three books: Jack Absolute, The Blooding of Jack Absolute, and Absolute Honour. 

Waiting on Wednesday 236

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"All that Glows"
by Ryan Graudin
HarperTeen
Release Date: Feb 11, 2014

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

Even though there's so long to wait for this one, I just had to post it. The cover is beautiful and I love reading about faeries!

What are you waiting for this week???

"Heart of Iron" Review

"Heart of Iron"
by Bec McMaster

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca 
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

In Victorian London, if you’re not a blue blood of the Echelon then you’re nothing at all. The Great Houses rule the city with an iron fist, imposing their strict ‘blood taxes’ on the nation, and the Queen is merely a puppet on a string…

Lena Todd makes the perfect spy. Nobody suspects the flirtatious debutante could be a sympathizer for the humanist movement haunting London’s vicious blue blood elite. Not even the ruthless Will Carver, the one man she can’t twist around her little finger, and the one man whose kiss she can’t forget…

Stricken with the loupe and considered little more than a slave-without-a-collar to the blue bloods, Will wants nothing to do with the Echelon or the dangerous beauty who drives him to the very edge of control. But when he finds a coded letter on Lena—a code that matches one he saw on a fire-bombing suspect—he realizes she’s in trouble. To protect her, he must seduce the truth from her.

With the humanists looking to start a war with the Echelon, Lena and Will must race against time—and an automaton army—to stop the humanist plot before it’s too late. But as they fight to save a city on the brink of revolution, the greatest danger might just be to their hearts…

My Review:

I think I liked this installment even more than the first book in the series, "Kiss of Steel". Maybe that's because the leads were a little more vulnerable than the two alphas (both hero and heroine) in the first book. In fact, it was a little sad seeing Blade from the first book growing weaker, because I never could have pictured him as weakened! And Honoria played the role of mother hen here, but at least we got a chance to revisit both characters.

Lena is so feisty and she's been trying to flirt with Will since the first book. He doesn't flirt back, but he has a very good reason! Sure, he seems grouchy to Lena, but the reader is in on his secret. Will is the (very) strong and silent hero, he's a bit tortured but he doesn't let that turn him into a jerk.

I definitely think you could read this book without having read the first book in the series, the author does a great job of keeping the reader up to speed on what happened previously. However, I think Will and Lena's relationship really started throughout the first book, so you would really be missing out if you skipped the first book. Plus it's a great book, so read both!

I love steampunk, and this author does such a great job of writing a steampunk flavored romance. The romance and the relationships between the characters is the focus of the book, but the steampunk elements are very well done and create a fun and different background for the characters. The paranormal element doesn't overshadow the characters either.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: Did I mention that I loved this book? I can't wait for the next installment to see what happens next in this exciting world.



If you think this book sounds good, you may want to read my review of the first book in the series:


My Review: "Kiss of Steel" by Bec McMaster

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Craftsy Now Offers Fine Art Classes!

Craftsy has announced a new category of classes: Fine Art! 

Be one of the first to check out these new classes! Craftsy's classes are great for everyone, regardless of skill level and you can take the classes on your own time, whenever works for you!

Here are six new art classes available from Craftsy:

• Craftsy Perspective in Landscape Drawing (Patrick Connors)
• Craftsy Acrylic Landscape Painting (Bennett Vadnais)
• Craftsy Portraits in Watercolor (Matt Rota)
• Craftsy Narrative Portraiture: Painting in Acrylic (Micah Ganske)
• Craftsy Drawn to Painting (Rob Zeller)
• Craftsy Master Palettes: Exploring Color Mixing (Scott Gellatly)

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with affiliate links.

Giveaway: "If the Shoe Fits"

"If the Shoe Fits"
by Megan Mulry

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Source: N/A

Summary from goodreads.com:

Second in a sexy, playful new series of women's fiction imagining what it might be like for a modern American woman to fall in love with a British aristocrat, from new author Megan Mulry.

Sarah James is an accomplished American woman who heads her own chic shoe company. Devon Heyworth is the rakish, ne'er-do-well younger brother of the 19th Duke of Northrop. When the two meet at the Duke's wedding they embark on a whirlwind weekend romance. And what begins as a casual fling at a royal wedding quickly proves to be far more meaningful. But when a string of misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart, their meddling aristocratic relatives join forces to reunite the star-crossed lovers.

About If the Shoe Fits (from the publicist)

The only thing worse than being in the spotlight is being kept in the dark...

With paparazzi nipping at his heels, Devon Heyworth, rakish brother of the Duke of Northrop, spends his whole life hiding his intelligence and flaunting his playboy persona. Fast cars and faster women give the tabloids plenty to talk about.

American entrepreneur Sarah James is singularly unimpressed with "The Earl" when she meets him at a wedding. But she's made quite an impression on him. When he pursues her all the way across the pond, he discovers that Miss James has no intention of being won over by glitz and glamor—she's got real issues to deal with, and the last thing she needs is larger-than-life royalty mucking about her business...

Now on to the contest!

Let's play the Royal Pain Baby Name Game!! Sourcebooks would like to know what YOU think Will and Kate will name their new baby!! Reply with your guess in the comments, and don't forget to fill out the Rafflecopter below!

GIVEAWAY RULES

The publisher has generously provided a copy of "If the Shoe Fits" for a lucky reader of my blog.

All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

• US/CAN only
• Books will be mailed out by the publisher
• Must be 18 or over 

• Ends July 5

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No compensation was received for this blog post.

Sunday Shout Out 36

Recently, I introduced a new feature here at In the Hammock on Sundays. It's called "Sunday Shout Out" and it's a place where I can give a special shout out to those publishers and authors who have sent me books over the week, as well as those bloggers who have hosted contests that I've won! I'll also be giving shout outs to any other cool books, blogs or bookish news that I've spotted during the week.

For Review

"Geek Girls Don't Date Dukes" by Gina Lamm

  

Contest Wins

"The Duchess Hunt" by Jennifer Haymore

"What a Wicked Earl Wants" by Vicky Dreiling

Both books won from Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance

Contests

While you're here, check out the contests currently running at In the Hammock!

Win "The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen" 6/23

Additional 25% Off Sale Items at Tea Collection!

Huge savings alert! I'm so excited to share with you that beginning Sunday 6/23, Tea Collection is offering an additional 25% off sale items with promo code 25SAVE. 

Prices are already discounted for their twice a year sale, and now you will get an extra 25% off! Tea Collection offers unique, stylish clothing for your little ones and beautiful clothes for you, too!

Now's your chance to stock up on comfortable and stylish clothes from Tea! Hurry, don't miss your chance to take advantage of this great sale from Tea Collection , the sale runs from 6/23 to 6/29! Happy Shopping! 

Here are just a few items from Tea Collection that I've fallen in love with!

Tea Collection Baobab Blossom Wrap-Neck Dress

Tea Collection Pretoria Tunic

Tea Collection Mtititi Floral Tunic


Tea Collection Ostrich Smocked Mini Dress

Don't forget to grab something for yourself too!


Tea Collection African Tulip Tunic


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with affiliate links.

Waiting on Wednesday 235

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:

"Doon"
by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon
Blink
Release Date: Aug 20, 2013

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Veronica doesn't think she's going crazy. But why can't anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes? When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months.

But the Scottish countryside holds other plans.

Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna's great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation. Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica's daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they've longed for...or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

DOON is loosely based on the premise of the musical Brigadoon, with permission from the ALan Jay Lerner Estate and the Frederick Loewe Foundation.

Based on a musical!?? Yes, please!! Sounds fantastic!

What are you waiting for this week???

Hot Deal: 15% Off Home Decor at Zinc Door

Upgrade a room in your home with beautiful furniture and accessories from Worlds Away and save money by doing so! Right now, Zinc Door is offering 15% off Worlds Away with promo code WA15. Don't miss your chance to save on these stylish and modern designs. Enjoy! 

While you're there, check out the new Global Views line for elegant home decor!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with affiliate links. Clicking links will result in commission.

DVD Review: "The Confession"

"The Confession"

DVD Review
Sony Pictures

Release Date: June 11, 2013
Source: DVD sent by publicist in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

About the DVD: (from the publicist)

Raised by an Amish family, Katie Lapp (Katie Leclerc, TV's "Switched at Birth") always felt the call of another life. Now, her quest to find her birth-mother, Laura Mayfield-Bennett (Sherry Stringfield, TV's "ER"), has drawn her into world of the "Englishers." Along the way, two very different men try to help her overcome a devious scheme to steal her rightful inheritance. Business-minded but kind-hearted Justin Wirth (Michael Rupnow) reaches out to discover Katie's hidden secrets, while her childhood companion Daniel Fisher (Cameron Deane Stewart) sacrifices his own happiness for her future. Katie's heart is divided between two worlds as love reveals the truth in the moving saga based on the hit novel from New York Times bestselling author Beverly Lewis.

Based on the novel by Beverly Lewis and directed by Michael Landon Jr., the film has a screenplay by Brian Bird and Michael Landon Jr. The film was produced by David R. Kappes and executive produced by Brian Bird, Maura Dunbar and Michael Landon Jr.

My Review: 

This movie had the potential to be really spectacular, but unfortunately the focus and structure fell a bit short. I think with a little more planning and better pacing, this film could have hit it out of the park! The middle of the film has great intrigue and secrets, which creates so much excitement and build up! It's really hard to go into detail without spoilers, but not only does Katie have to find away to get her biological mother to see the truth, someone is also hiding the truth from her! Lots of secrets, and lots of drama that the movie could have drawn out more.

While watching this film, I didn't realize that it was part of a series. The prequel to this film is "The Shunning", which unfortunately, I haven't seen yet. That would explain why I felt a bit lost at the beginning. I felt like I was tuning in at the middle of a movie or a season of a tv show. While the beginning felt disjointed and confusing, once the real conflict of the film started, I was drawn in by all the excitement!

Unfortunately, the end is abrupt and falls flat. I honestly thought it must be a 'dream sequence' because everything happened so fast and was wrapped up so neatly. All that intrigue for a let-down at the end. But don't despair, the movie isn't a total bust at all. In fact, the cliffhanger at the end has me itching to see the third installment to see what happens!

The production itself is very high quality. The acting is great and I loved seeing the estate where the movie was filmed. Meant to be Laura's inherited estate, the house is stunning. It reminded me of a modern day Downton Abbey.

Perhaps I would have enjoyed the movie more if the story had focused more on Katie and her relationship with her birth mother, and the two boys you see on the cover of the dvd. It's actually a bit misleading with these three on the cover, because it seems like Laura and her husband take the lead in this installment. I would have preferred the story to focus more on Katie and her journey. A lot of time was spent building up the villain and his story. Maybe with more of a focus the film wouldn't have been spread so thin.  

Bottom Line: While this film did have a slow beginning and abrupt end, I still enjoyed the middle of the movie immensely. I do think it could have been more focused, but it was still enjoyable and I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Trailer:




Purchase "The Confession" here:

http://www.amazon.com/Beverly-Lewis-Confession/dp/B00C4BDG7M/



Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD from the publicist in exchange for an honest review.

Spotlight: "One Heart to Win"

"One Heart to Win"
by Johanna Lindsey
Publisher: Gallery
Source: received from publisher
Release Date: June 11, 2013

The following description is from goodreads.com:

Some young ladies marry for money and social standing, a few lucky ones marry for love—but Tiffany Warren is marrying to end a feud. Honoring her mother’s promise, Tiffany reluctantly travels west to meet her estranged father and his enemy’s eldest son, rancher Hunter Callahan. Once the Warrens and the Callahans are united by marriage, both clans will stop squabbling over a disputed strip of land. In the chaos of a train robbery Tiffany seizes a golden opportunity: By assuming the identity of her father’s new housekeeper she can live with the father she never knew and assess his true character, as well as that of the neighboring cowboy to whom she is betrothed. But, too late, Tiffany discovers that the rivalry between the Warrens and the Callahans has escalated when the Callahans steal the Warrens’ housekeeper as soon as she steps off the train!Now, Tiffany, who is pretending to be Jennifer Fleming, finds herself living in the enemy camp, under the same roof as her fiancé. All too soon she learns her intended is a handsome, sweet talking charmer whom she has to fight off because he can’t keep his eyes—or his hands—off Jennifer. After Tiffany’s charade is exposed she refuses to marry Hunter to end the feud. As Hunter goes about claiming his rightful bride-to-be, he knows that although he loves two women—proper, elegant Tiffany as well as spunky, passionate Jennifer—he has only one heart to win.

Author Bio:

Find out more about Johanna Lindsey here: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Johanna-Lindsey/18227659/author_revealed

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publicist/publisher in exchange for a blog post.

Sunday Shout Out 35

Recently, I introduced a new feature here at In the Hammock on Sundays. It's called "Sunday Shout Out" and it's a place where I can give a special shout out to those publishers and authors who have sent me books over the week, as well as those bloggers who have hosted contests that I've won! I'll also be giving shout outs to any other cool books, blogs or bookish news that I've spotted during the week.

For Review

"Faking It" by Cora Carmack

 

 "The Arrangement" by Mary Balogh

"I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag" by Jennifer Gilbert

"One Heart to Win" by Johanna Lindsey

"Hearts Unbound" by Sara Luck

Contest Wins

"Bright Young Things" by Alison Maloney

Won from vvb32 Reads

"The Heiresses" by Alison Rushby

Won from Confessions of a Book Addict

Contests

While you're here, check out the contests currently running at In the Hammock!

Win "The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen" 6/23

Giveaway: "The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen"

"The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen"
by Joan Strasbaugh

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Source: N/A

Summary from goodreads.com:

Her life, her work, her legacy--step into the world of the incredible Jane Austen.

It's Jane like you've never seen! Through fun and breezy lists, discover everything there is to know about Jane Austen, the sassy literary genius we know and love. Learn her likes and dislikes, her haves and have-nots, where she traveled, how she lived, and who she knew.

With a wealth of little-known and fascinating information, find out:

-Her friends and her beaux
-Every place she lived or visited
-Books in her library
-Her quirks
-The last lines of everything she wrote
-and much more!

About A Spear of Summer Grass (from the publicist)

The Jane you thought you knew…

Jane Austen comes to life for the first time in list form

Have you ever wondered what books Jane Austen read? Or what her #1 pet peeve was?

Find the answers to these questions in The List Lover’s Guide to Jane Austen, coming this June 2013. Released just in time for the 200^th Anniversary of Pride & Prejudice, author Joan Strasbaugh is a “hard-core fan” and known in Jane circles around the world.

Strasbaugh creates a portrait of this beloved author as a living, breathing human being; The List Lover’s Guide is perfect for any 18^th century Brit lit buff. Austen aficionado or student of literature.

Lists like “Her Social Circle” and “Balls and Dances She Attended” weave a seamless portrait of the woman that Austen was — not based on her fictions, but on her facts.

While including extensive background information on the author (down to the very flowers she grew in her garden), the book also features juicy details like:

·        Possible Suitors
·        Who Broke Her Heart
·        The Hearts She Broke
·        Her Morbid Sense of Humor
·        Jane’s Royal Ancestors

About the author
Joan Strasbaugh has been a proud Janeite for half of her life. She now works as the senior editor of Abbeville Press in New York, and notably organized the Jane Austen in the 21^st Century Humanities Festival at the University of Wisconsin. A former publisher at Jones Books, Strasbaugh also holds a membership to the Jane Austen Society of North America.

GIVEAWAY RULES

The publisher has generously provided a copy of "The List Lover's Guide to Jane Austen" for a lucky reader of my blog.

All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

• US only
• Books will be mailed out by the publisher
• Must be 18 or over 

• Ends June 23

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No compensation was received for this blog post.

Enter to Win a Kindle Fire at Crimson Romance!

Hi, everyone! I just heard about a great contest to win a Kindle Fire, fully stocked with every title from Crimson Romance's first year! What a great prize!!

Even better is how easy it is to enter! Just stop by Crimson Romance and enter your email address. That's it! No hoops to jump through!

Reebok Dance Gear in New Styles for Summer!

Reebok Dance Gear Is back For Summer!

I've really been trying to get motivated to work out more, and I think this fun, quality workout gear could help me on my way! Putting on stylish, colorful gear could really brighten my mood and get me ready to dance and work out!

I personally really want these shoes!! What a great way to make workouts more fun! There are even more bright, fun colors on Reebok's site!

Women's Dance UR Lead Mid Shoe

Last year Reebok took a HUGE step into the dance category, supporting the active women who love to partake in fitness movements like Zumba to stay feeling and looking great.

Mid-cut and low-cut footwear options were debuted, as was a full line of apparel made for movement. Reebok's dance footwear products like the UR Lead Mid have been a hit with dance enthusiasts, combining function and fashion in a way no other sportswear brand has achieved yet.
 
The apparel from last year has been updated for the new season,! Short and long sleeve tops, compression and tights, and even looser fitting pant styles are up for grabs from this colorful and stylish line.  Check out some favorites here!

Reebok Women's Shapewear Lux Tank

 Women's Happy Burnout Tee
 
   Reebok Women's Own Mix Hoodie

 Disclosure: This is a sponsored post with affiliate links, clicking the links and purchasing will result in commission.