Thursday, August 21, 2014

Unauthored Letters Book Tour and Giveaway

Tara C. Allred

Dr. John Sanders has given Rebecca Brownell a new chance at life. After an isolated childhood, an abused adolescence, and an institutionalized existence, Rebecca is finally free to conquer her demons and build a promising life. 

However, once Rebecca achieves her dreams, eerily personal letters begin arriving in the mail. Letters sent from someone who knows far more about her past than anyone should. Letters that intimately question Rebecca's sanity. 

And then the letters turn threatening...
Unauthored Letters is the inspiring tale of a woman's troubled past, a man's quest to protect her, and their battle to fight a mysterious foe. It's a story of trust strained by illness, love tried by lies, and promises terrorized by illusive danger. 

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What People are Saying
 
Allred shows excellent insight into the psychological interactions of her characters and . . .[her] use of symbolism adds depth of interest to this well-constructed story.
~Foreward Clarion Reviews 

Keep your eye on Allred, she'll definitely be a best-selling author in no time!
~The Book Stalker 

The mystery is simple . . . but finding out the hows and whys are enough to maintain an interest in discovering how it all ends. Unauthored Letters is a captivating and thoughtful read without being pretentious.
~Indie Reader 

My thoughts:

This book is truly a psychological thriller! I read this in one day since I couldn't put it down. Allred seems to have a good understanding of mental illness and of how other people can twist an illness to advance their own agendas.

Rebecca has gone through so much in her life, and when very personal threatening letters start being delivered she is in serious danger, from her own mind and from the letters' author.

This book kept my mind dodging back and forth, trying to figure out who was destroying Rebecca's life and happiness. I was rooting for her and her family while constantly changing my mind about who the villain was.

Allred hooked me from the beginning and didn't let me go until I turned the final page!

Meet the Author 

Author

From a very early age, Tara C. Allred developed a great love for reading and writing. By fifth grade her goals had been established—someday she would be a published author.
Allred was raised in California. Her philosopher/psychologist father and artist mother provided a critical thinking and creative home life. Their influence helped Allred develop the attributes and belief that she could pursue her writing dreams. In 1992, she was recognized as a California Scholar of the Arts for Creative Writing. Allred has a degree in Psychology, with a minor in English, from Brigham Young University.

Allred loves nature, exploring the sciences, and the genuine thrill of learning and creating.


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'Sneak Peek' Live Reading

Other Available Books
“Richly rendered surroundings, commanding stimulus, story line twists, snappy exchanges, hair raising excitement and satisfyingly puzzling uncertainty pack the pages of author Allred’s initial work with mesmerizing reader appeal."
~Epinion Review
Molly Martin

Tara C. Allred

Support the Tour...

Enjoy the Reviews!!

August 18, 2014 - The Book Stalker
August 20, 2014 - Espacularaiesa
August 22, 2014 - Words of a SAHM
August 24, 2014 - Book Club Sisters
August 25, 2014 - 31 Days Early I Rise
August 26, 2014 - A Madison Mom
August 29, 2014 - Deal Sharing Aunt
August 30, 2014 - Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
September 4, 2014 - A Gluten Free Journey
September 5, 2014 - I Love to Read and Review Books
September 8, 2014 - Totally Addicted to Reading

Presenting the Author Giveaway!!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza!

Welcome to the

Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza

Sponsored by: Failing Perfect, Dibsies Personalization Station, Zazzle, Fundanoodle, and Educational Insights

Back-to-School-Palooza-Button

Hosted & Organized by: Failing Perfect

Co-hosted by: Here We Go Again, Ready?, Intelligent Domestications, Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains, Spaceships and Laser Beams, Peace and Chaos, and The More The Merrier

 I can't believe it's that time of year again! It's time to get those kids ready to go back to school. It seems like just yesterday when we were looking forward to the start of summer. Because we love our readers - and their kids - we want to help you get ready for back-to-school by helping one lucky reader get the year started with a bang. That is why we teamed up with our blogger friends and a few generous sponsors to bring you the chance to win this fantastic giveaway! One winner is going to receive a prize package worth over $430! This giveaway includes something for everyone in the family from preschoolers through college students. Here is what is included:
  • Kindle Fire HD 7" Tablet, Wifi, 16 GB  & $100 Target Gift Card from Failing Perfect (Retail Value: $269.00)
  • Personalized Lunch Box & Personalized Backpack from Dibsies Personalization Station (Retail Value: $78.00)
  • $50 Zazzle Gift Code from Zazzle
  • Hot Dots Laugh It Up! Math Vocabulary Cards for grades 1-3, Hot Dots Reading Informational Text for grades 4-6, Hot Dots Pen, & GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope for ages 3+ from Educational Insights(Retail Value: $79.95)
  • The winner's choice of one activity kit:  I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace!, I Can Pound!, I Can Build Uppercase! or I Can Build Lowercase! from Fundanoodle (Retail Value: $32.99) 
Back-to-School Palooza Giveaway: The Details
  • Giveaway will begin on August 18th, 2014 and will end at 11:59 PM, Mountain Time (US) on September 2nd, 2014.
  • Open to residents in the continental US, 18 years or older.
  • One entrant per household.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
  • No purchase necessary to enter or win.
  • Winner will have 24 Hours to respond to winner notification email, or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.
  • Winner will be chosen via random.org.
  • The winning entry will be verified.
  • Sponsors will be individually responsible for prize fulfillment.
If you agree to the above terms, then enter using the Giveaway Form below. Good Luck!! 
Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza

Good Luck!

Disclosure:  This blog did not receive compensation and is not responsible for prize fulfillment. This post may contain affiliate links. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these rules and the decisions of Failing Perfect ("Sponsor"), which shall be final and binding in all respects. Failing Perfect is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, andor any other social media. Please contact michelle@failingperfect.com with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes. 
If you would like your product or service featured on a similar giveaway, contact michelle@failingperfect.com for more information.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

ELPH Target $100 Gift Card Giveaway


It's that time of the year again: kids all over the country are headed back to school. While gathering those school supplies, it's also important to remember your child's safety. That's where ELPH comes in! ELPH is a silicone wristband designed specifically for children, adults, the elderly, and individuals with special needs. It provides an immediate, highly visible form of identification, with clear instructions directly on the band, so you can be reunited with your lost loved one, although none of your child's sensitive identifying info is directly on the band for strangers to see.

ELPH bands are simple to use. You activate and register the band, and in the event that your child is separated from you, a good samaritan can either call the toll free number or scan the band's QR code to be directly connected to an emergency contact (you!). Ruth from Viva Veltoro recently had the opportunity to review the ELPH band. Be sure to check out her full review to see how cute and functional these bands are, and why they should be a must-have on your back to school list.

ELPH wants to help one lucky family get prepared for the school season, so they're giving away an ELPH and a $100 Target Gift Card to help with back to school shopping! 

Connect: You can connect with ELPH on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Buy it: You can purchase your ELPH band on their website for only $19.99. This includes a year of their amazing service.
Win it: One lucky person will win an ELPH band of their choice (size + color) and a $100 Target Gift Card!

Open to the US and Canada, ages 18 and up. Ends 8/28/14 at 11:59 PM ET. Enter using the Giveaway Tools form below. 

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway. ELPH is responsible for prize fulfillment. Viva Veltoro, Thrifty Nifty Mommy and the participating blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Please note, if the winner is Canadian they can opt for $100 PayPal instead. Please contact vivaveltoro{at}gmail.com with any questions about this giveaway.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

The Girl in White Pajamas Book Tour and $25 Amazon/Paypal Giveaway


When Officer Bud the PR face of the Boston Police Department is gunned down, his brother, Bogie McGruder, returns from Palm Beach for the funeral. Since the BPD is investigating the death of one of their own, Bogie believes his trip to Boston will be a short condolence visit and a chance to meet his secret love child.

But interacting with a family fueled by alcohol and mired in scandals, Bogie is reminded why he does investigations for his Boston based company from a computer in Florida. Although Bogie wants to contact his ex-lover, Bailey Hampfield, he’s reluctant to do so since Bailey dumped him four years earlier. Knowing that Bailey had his child after she cut him loose, Bogie ponders how he can establish a relationship with the three year old daughter he’s never met. While he thinks about it, Bailey gets in touch with him and asks for protection. Someone is trying to kill her.

By the time Bogie meets Isabella, it’s apparent that he still loves the mother and adores the child. Bogie tells himself that he’s not interested in the BPD investigation into Bud’s death, but he continues to be drawn into it while trying to discover who is attempting to kill Bailey. The investigations seem to parallel each other, then intersect and become intertwined. As the story develops, Isabella, a precocious child obsessed with martial arts, slowly becomes the focus.

The underlying theme of this mystery is lies. Everyone seems to be running on lies and half truths. The only pure and true character is The Girl in White Pajamas.

My Thoughts:

This family is so twisted that it makes mine look perfectly sane! In the beginning The Girl in White Pajamas is kind of confusing, trying to keep track of the different characters and who they are to each other. Because they're mostly all related it makes it that much more difficult to keep track of everyone.

Chris Birdy brought to life the boy who was shunned and ignored by his family and moved on to make something of his life, while most of the rest of his family squandered theirs. Bogie loves his teenage daughter (even when he can't understand her) and desperately wants to meet his 3 year old daughter. The circumstances in this book allow them to meet, and his younger daughter is a spunky handful that made me laugh out loud! She is so much like my daughters that I wondered if Chris Birdy has met my girls!

This story was a quick read for me, since the mystery grabbed me and the characters came to life for me! It was funny, entertaining, and everything a great book should be. I loved it and I can't wait to read the author's next book!


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About the Author
Chris Birdy was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from high school, she did a four year stint in the Middle East. When she returned to the States, Chris settled down in the Boston area and became a true Bostonian by collecting college degrees while raising a family.

For more than twenty years, Chris has been a member of the legal community performing investigative work for Boston law firms conducting business in rough housing projects and crack house neighborhoods.  Several years ago, while sitting in a courtroom with a client, Chris watched as a police officer was lambasted by an attorney. The attorney was defending a young woman who crashed her car into two other vehicles before she passed out drunk behind the wheel. The occupants of the other cars were seriously hurt and the cop, a former EMT, tried to assist the injured while waiting for ambulances to arrive. The attorney questioned the cop's every move, shredded his testimony and made him seem inept. Embarrassed, the cop returned to his seat beside me and muttered, "Everybody lies. The judges lie, the lawyers lie, the witnesses lie.."  Chris wanted to tell him not to worry that in about five years he'd be just as good a liar as they were. The seeds for The Girl in White Pajamas were planted in that courtroom.

Chris lives outside of Boston and in Palm Beach, Florida with her husband.

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Follow the book tour


I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY


1 Lucky Winners will win $25 Amazon GC or Paypal Cash 
(winners choice)
Ending on Sunday 7th September at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide 

Enter Below and Good Luck !!


Friday, August 8, 2014

Don't Buy It, Rent It $500 Amazon Giveaway



Welcome to the Don't Buy It, Rent It Sweepstakes
Organized by: Mom Powered Media


MPM is excited to share a way to help you save money on those high priced college textbooks. Rent your textbooks this year and save up to 80%.
With Amazon.com's flexible rental program, you can keep your textbooks for a semester. Yes, all semester long and when it comes time to send your books back, they will even pay for return shipping. How awesome is that? All this means more money in your pocket for the things in life that can't be learned from a book.
What are you waiting for? Rent your textbooks today from Amazon.com.

This is such an awesome program! I wish it was available when I was in college!

One winner will receive a $500 Amazon Gift Card.

Giveaway ends September 7th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. Excludes Quebec. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below.

Don't Buy It, Rent It Sweepstakes  

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Rent It F10

If you’re a fan of the following pages on Facebook, you’re entitled to the 10 free entries in the Don't Buy It, Rent It Sweepstakes. If not, you can become one here.
Click on each link in the Rafflecopter form below to see if you’re a fan or become a new one.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

$150 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Welcome to the $150 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Event

Sponsored by Pure Crafted Beds

Pure Crafted Beds is a company who knows Beds. Their factory was started in 1946 and is still owned by the original family and into their third generation! They began by renovating porch furniture and mattresses in the 1940's, to a modern manufacturing facility located in Lansing, Michigan. They've been in business close to 70 years and have brought forth an amazing selection of products that will give you a great night's sleep. Your comfort is their business!

Each bed is "hand-crafted" and they always strive to provide the best value for each customer, whether at $299 or $2,999. They carry two basic mattresses the TruEssence and TruSlumber. The only difference between the two beds is the core foam layer, and the TruSlumber bed does not have a base layer of foam. This helps reduce the overall height of the bed, which makes it perfect for children, bunk beds, and other situations where a thinner mattress is required! However the unsurpassed quality remains the same in both!

purecrafted1

One of the most fantastic features of Pure Crafted Beds is their use of an innovative product called the Eco Shield Cover. Every Pure Crafted Bed has this unique EcoShield cover. This amazing cover is resistant to bed bugs, dust mites, mosquitoes, and moths... all without any artificial chemicals!
 ecoshield_banner
The proprietary EcoShield fabric is infused with Geraniol, a natural plant extract which provides all natural protection. Many anti-bed bug and dust mite products on the market today use synthetic chemicals. EcoShield® is the first product that is truly 100% natural, with no artificial chemical additives that uses a unique micro-capsule delivery system for long-lasting effects! Through a special process the Geraniol is infused into our EcoSheild® cover, and is slowly released over time as movement occurs on the mattress.

EcoShield® is Scientifically Proven!

To find out more on how these beds are made head over to the video below! Sleep equals health, Don't trust your sleep to just any mattress.

Thanks to Pure Crafted Beds One winner will get a $150 Amazon Gift card. Giveaway ends August 21 at 11:59pm, open to US ages 18+. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck!


Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact Elia@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Monday, August 4, 2014

ArtKick Roku/Amazon Giveaway


Art is expensive and, in many cases, it can be difficult to find space in your home for it. After a while, you may become tired of looking at the same piece of art. You've already spent a fair amount of money on the piece so you don't want to get rid of it either. Luckily, because of modern technology, there is a new, free choice available to you. Artkick is a free iOS and Android app that lets you utilize your TV to stream a variety of art or photos rather than just sitting there blank.

Users can choose from over ¼ million images, separated by category for ease of browsing and selection. From van Gogh’s Starry Night, to NASA’s Hubble images of deep space, to Ansel Adams landscapes and modern contemporary photography - Artkick has a selection that appeals to every taste! Maybe you'd prefer to see your favorite family pictures scrolling across the television; Artkick can do that too! The app can easily pull all of your favorite photos from Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Picasa, SmugMug and Dropbox.


 So what do you need to do? To use Artkick follow these steps:
  • Download the Artkick mobile app from either app store. As I mentioned before, it's free! You can download the mobile app from the iOS App store or the Android Google Play store. Think of this as your intelligent remote control. Now, you need to link it to your TV.
  • Connect your TV to the internet in one of two ways:
    • (1) directly if you own one of the supported brands of SmartTVs (specifically Sharp, Sony, LG, and Samsung TVs). If you have a smart TV from one of the previously mentioned brands, you can download the Artkick TV app from your TV’s app store directly.
    • (2) indirectly if your TV is not among the currently supported SmartTV brands using a small external device that can easily connect your TV to your wireless network. Google’s Chromecast ($35) or Roku’s Streaming Stick ($50) are great options.
  • When you start the Artkick app on your tablet or phone for the first time, you must set up a user account to stream images to your TV. A valid email address is all that is required.
  • Once you've set up a user account, the app will walk you through the process of linking the TV to your phone or tablet. Again, think of your phone or tablet as your remote control.

It's as simple as that. Your otherwise blank TV is now the conversational piece at your next dinner party!

Find out more about Artkick by visiting their website. Then, make sure you “like” them on Facebook, then follow them on Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest as well. ArtKick is sponsoring an amazing giveaway! They would like to give one lucky reader a brand new Roku Streaming Stick & a $100 Amazon Gift Card!





This giveaway is open to residents of the US only who are 18 years of age or older, unless prohibited by law. The giveaway will end at 11:59pm EDT on August 18th, 2014 and a winner will be drawn randomly from all eligible entries received. Enter using the Giveaway Tools entry form below. Good luck!


Disclosures: The participating bloggers have not been compensated for sharing this giveaway. Thrifty Nifty Mommy, Viva Veltoro and the participating bloggers are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Prize fulfillment is the responsibility of ArtKick. This giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. For questions about this giveaway, please email thriftyniftymommy {at} yahoo.com.