Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Sockkids Meet Lincoln plus 6 Prizes!


Today I'm introducing
a funny historical kid's book
and an awesome giveaway
with 6 prizes up for grabs!

The SockKids Meet Lincoln

About the Book

Title: The SockKids™ Meet Lincoln
Authors: Michael John Sullivan and Susan Petrone
Illustrator: SugarSnail
Publication Date: August 14, 2013
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 40 (print)
Recommended Age: 3 to 8
Summary (Amazon):

Where do our missing socks go? Readers find out in our children’s series, The SOCKKIDS. We follow the Socker family through many adventures; from encountering the slobbery mouth of the family dog to meeting Santa as he comes down the chimney on Christmas Eve to helping a fireman save a baby to the most shy Socker going to the school dance for the first time. Thanks to the time-travel opportunities afforded by the spin cycle of the washer, they learn about some of the most important humans in the world. Children two and up and their parents will be drawn to the diversity of the family and the universal and timeless lessons they teach: don’t be afraid of new experiences; treat others as you would like to be treated, and of course, beware of the spin cycle!

Purchase

The SOCKKIDS Meet Lincoln - Cover

Amazon Buy Button


My Review:

The Sockkids Meet Lincoln is a witty narrative that engages young minds with its humor and colorful characters. I really enjoyed introducing President Lincoln to my 5 year-old, Amanda, as she sat on my lap and I read. Her immediate reaction to the first time we met the Sockkids was to giggle. On the page where we saw Mary's face, Abraham Lincoln's wife, Amanda said that she was pretty. The story held her interest all the way through and when I asked her which was her favorite part, she said that all the parts were nice and she couldn't pick a favorite.

The only part of the story that I would have changed is that I wouldn't have put dirty socks away in a drawer. The socks needed to go into the washing machine, so they should have been talking to each other from a dirty laundry hamper instead.

I think this book is a wonderful way to teach kids a bit about history. It makes learning fun and the message is very important that we are all equal and deserve the same amount of care. I recommend this book for ages 5 and up.


The Buzz Highlights


"The SockKids Meet Lincoln is a fun way to introduce young kids to an important historical period and figure. The tone is lighthearted yet informative--perfect for the target age group. I found myself chuckling along too! I've always wondered where my socks went when they disappeared..." ~ 5-Star review from A. MacLean, Amazon

"This is an adorable story with a wonderful message. I loved the illustrations, so colorful, every child will love these pictures and love this story. We all have lost socks in the washing machine and how cute to picture them talking to each other. I also loved the journey to Lincoln and how it didn't matter to him what color the socks were, his didn't match, a hidden message which you will have to read the story to find out what all that means. I hope to see many other wonderful sockkids adventures from Mr. Sullivan. I would give this more than 5 stars!" ~ 5-Star review from Cynthia A. Springsteen, Amazon

About The Authors:
Michael John Sullivan & Susan Petrone

Michael John Sullivan
Michael John Sullivan
Michael John Sullivan is the creator of the SockKids. Constantly searching for his socks, he wondered whether the missing foot comforters had found another pair of feet to warm. Before his interest in socks, Sullivan started writing his first novel while homeless, riding a NYC subway train at night. Sullivan returned to his subway notes in 2007 and began writing Necessary Heartbreak: A Novel of Faith and Forgiveness (Simon & Schuster, Gallery Books imprint). Library Journal named Necessary Heartbreak one of the year’s best in 2010. His second novel, Everybody’s Daughter (Fiction Studio Books, 2012) was named one of the best books of 2012 by TheExaminer.com. Sullivan has written articles about the plight of homelessness for CNN.com, The Washington Post.com, Beliefnet.com, the Huffington Post, and America Online’s Patch.com service.

Susan Petrone
Susan Petrone
Susan Petrone’s short fiction has been published by Glimmer Train, Featherproof Books, The Cleveland Review, Muse, Conclave, and Whiskey Island. Her first novel, A Body at Rest, was published in 2009 (Drinian Press). Her short story, Monster Jones Wants to Creep You Out (Conclave,2010) was nominated for a 2011 Pushcart Prize. She also writes about her beloved Cleveland Indians at ItsPronouncedLajaway.com for ESPN.com’s SweetSpot network. In addition, she is a regular contributor to Cool Cleveland.com.



 The SockKids™ Meet Lincoln
Blog Tour Schedule (2013)

 November 5
November 6
November 7
November 8
November 9
November 10
November 11
November 12
November 13
November 14
November 15
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 22
November 23
November 24
November 25

*** The SockKids™ Meet Lincoln Blog Tour Giveaway ***

SockKids Grand Prize Blog Tour

Prize:
3 Grand Prize Winners:  $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash + a SockKids t-shirt
3 Secondary Prize Winners:  SockKids t-shirt

Contest runs: November 5 to December 2, 11:59 pm, 2013

Open: Worldwide

How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The Grand Prize winner and secondary winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winners will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the authors Michael John Sullivan and Susan Petrone and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MDBR Kid Lit Book Promotion Services - Button FINAL

Disclaimer: I received a free pdf copy of Sockkids Meet Lincoln with the condition to write an honest review. My opinion of the book can be found in the My Review part of the post.
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Posted by Christina Morley at Saturday, November 23, 2013 Comments Labels: , , , , , ,

Friday, November 22, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #59

It's time to do some weekend blog hopping! Today I'm joining two great hops with their word prompts and I have my own blog hop link that doesn't have a theme, so go ahead and link your family friendly post below!

Friendship Friday and Finish the Sentence Friday have a similar word theme for today, "Thankfulness." It's a great time of the year to reflect on what we are thankful for in light of Thanksgiving Day. If you would like to share what you are thankful for, then feel free to tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

Here's this week's sentence to finish:

Right now, I am thankful for…

my kids ending their school year well here in South Africa. They have been writing end of the year exams for the last couple of weeks. My two eldest girls are now finished and my son writes his final exam today. Last night we attended Amanda's preschool concert and graduation. She will be entering Kindergarten in January.

Amanda is on the far left.
Click on the image to view it larger.

I'm also thankful for the free eBook that I helped put together, called: Nurturing Joy, which was written by moms for moms. Make sure you check it out and grab a free copy!

Next Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, I have a fabulous post on Jewelry Making and a project that my girls and I have been busy with. If you need Christmas presents ideas, then be sure to visit Amanda's Books and More. I've got more Christmas themed ideas lined up too for this month and next, so don't miss out!


*********************

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!


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Posted by Christina Morley at Friday, November 22, 2013 Comments Labels: , , , , , ,

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Nurturing Joy, by Moms for Moms - Free eBook

I'm very excited to share about a free eBook written by moms for moms called, Nurturing Joy: Illuminating Everyday Enchantment. And, I am one of the moms who contributed!


The lovely lady behind the project is Becky from Raising Loveliness. She has put together a beautiful post about anything that has recently brought us joy, so go check it out and meet some of the moms behind the eBook!

A word from Becky:

I believe that motherhood is a gift, but I know that at times, it can be challenging and perhaps a bit lonely. It is my hope that in reading the interviews with the inspiring mothers featured in this book, you will be reminded that you are not alone. We are right here with you, walking through this journey of a lifetime, side by side.


You can grab your free copy of



Becky's eBook consists of interviews from 14 moms about how we nurture joy in our day to day lives, even through difficult times. Today I’d like to share with you my answer to the question:

When do you feel most fully alive?

I feel most fully alive when I’m inspiring others. I’ve taught on different levels, including as an English teacher to high school students and a Bible teacher to missionaries, but teaching on its own isn’t enough. Sometimes people get stuck in life and I like to help “un-stick” them. I try to motivate people to widen their horizons and to strive for excellence in all that they do.

I also feel most fully alive when I’m engaging in my talents and hobbies. I could never be satisfied with being a housewife or stay-at-home mom, because these roles aren’t the only ones that define me. I have a need to embrace all of who I am. One way that I do this is through blogging. When I’m blogging, I get to celebrate my life and my family, use my talents, and inspire others.
************

Now I ask my readers the same question,
"When do you feel most fully alive?"
I would love to hear from you!

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Posted by Christina Morley at Thursday, November 21, 2013 Comments Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #66

Yesterday I had an excellent guest post by Janine Huldie from Janine's Confessions of a Mommyaholic with 5 tips on how to Maximize Your Potential Blog Revenue by Utilizing Your Blog Sidebar. I have not yet ventured into making money with blogging, but it is something that I hope to set up soon. I also haven't listed my blogs on any blog directories like Top Mommy Blogs or Mommy Hot Spot.

Here's a question for my mommy blogging readers, "Which blog directory would you recommend that I go with?" Please give any suggestions in the comments and link your W.W. on my Picture Perfect Party Linky!


Today I'm sharing photos of flowers
from my garden and of our cat, Prince.
Click on the images to view them larger.








Here's a peek at my latest post on
1camera1mom. My series is on the 
McGregor wine region in South Africa.




Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!
If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!
I would love for you to follow me on
and
Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like.
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

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Posted by Christina Morley at Tuesday, November 19, 2013 Comments Labels: , , , , ,

Monday, November 18, 2013

Maximize Your Potential Blog Revenue By Utilizing Your Blog Sidebar

Guest Post by Janine Huldie from
Janine's Confessions of a Mommyaholic

Blogging, for many, is done for fun when first begun. This is what I thought and my main reason when I began.

See, I was a teacher before I had my kids and during my second pregnancy lost my position due to the economy and budget cuts.

Overnight, I became a stay at home mom. We went from two incomes to one, but it seemed ok and doable at first.

As much as I loved being at home with my girls, I did get to a point where I needed something for me and even a place to share all our daily exploits. I also wanted to know some of what I was experiencing as a mom to two little girls was normal and that I wasn't alone.

See, being alone with two babies under two can be quite overwhelming and as crazy as times can get, still definitely kind of lonely and short of adult stimulation to say the least.

So, I started my blog and did indeed begin sharing my life with the whole free world on the internet. I loved it from first bite to be quite honest.

But then I started to catch the blogging and making money bug, which I remember the first time that I found out that not only can you write from home, share and get to know others this way, but you can also make a living off doing this, as well.

I saw an infographic that was shared about bloggers and how much money they made over the course of the last year.

Click image to enlargeEarth Day 2012
Source: H&R Block

I truly had no idea that this was even possible until I saw that.

I decided to immerse myself and learn all I could after seeing that.

Recently I was asked to share a few tips from Tina from Amanda's Books and More on indeed making money from blogging.

One of the biggest and best things I did to monetize my blog was setting up my sidebar properly and including ads from both other bloggers and affiliate companies.

So, the question is, "How do you set up your sidebar to indeed make you money?"

Other than making sure to have the essentials included, such as social media buttons, so you could be found online and even e-mailed by potential clients, bloggers and companies, as well as having a blogger "grab me button" and even an "about me" graphic image with text to explain who you are, you will need to make sure to make money by having some other key elements.

Read on to find out now, my tips for a successful, revenue making sidebar.

Maximize Your Blog Revenue by Utilizing Your Blog Sidebar
Maximize Your Blog Revenue by Utilizing Your Blog Sidebar

1. Set up a blogging advertising account with the likes of Passionfruit. This will enable bloggers, Etsy shop owners and other companies to pay you money to place their ads on your side bar offering different sizes and options, even including in post advertisements, too.

2. Set up accounts with Affiliate marketing companies, such as Google Adsense, Amazon Affiliates, Linkshare and ShareASale to be able to run companies latest banners (ads) with their current promotional offers to your readers.

3. Also sign up with blogger affiliations, such as BlogHer, SITS, Clever Girl Collective, Influenster, or Sverve to be able to not only display their buttons, but become active in their communities, where you can be afforded blogger opportunities to work with the companies they are affiliated with to write posts, try new products and make money through this, as well as lacing ads that if clicked on can make you a share of their profit.

4. Also join groups such as Top Mommy Blogs or Mommy Hot Spot, where many companies lurk to find influential bloggers to work with to share their products by trying them out and also making money in the process. These groups run on voting and the more votes you get by readers clicking on these banners, the more influential you are by being higher in rank on their sites.

5. Put all this together and make sure to have a nice assortment/arrangement of these types of money making banners placed on your sidebar to maximize your profit potential.

These are just a few of the ways I have indeed made money blogging just by utilizing my sidebar to do so. Hope this helps you to get some ideas to make money.

Also, if you have anything that I have not shared here that has helped you in making a profit, please do feel free to share this here with us today.

Thanks and Happy Blogging!

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Posted by Christina Morley at Monday, November 18, 2013 Comments Labels: , , ,

Friday, November 15, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #58

Today I'm participating in two Friday writing prompts. I also invite you to link your favorite blog post from this past week below on my Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop. My hop doesn't have a theme, so any family friendly post is welcome. Don't forget to visit the two posts that were linked before yours and make their Saturday sweet!

 Create With Joy's Friendship Friday has a"Gratitude" theme for this month. Today's one is Thankful Quotes. I'm sharing with you a post I put together last year around Thanksgiving time with photos of what I am thankful for and 3 really awesome Thankful Quotes that you can pin on Pinterest by using my "Pin it" button on my right-hand sidebar. Here's a peek at one of them:



And, here is my contribution to today's
When it comes to my past relationships, my spouse thinks…

…super jealous thoughts. Mentioning past relationships to my dear spouse is a seriously bad idea. I’m not insensitive about those kinds of things either. He’s just super sensitive. He never kissed a girl romantically until he kissed me. He spent his adolescence at a boy’s school and then went off to serve in the Army for 2 years as was the law in those days. He’s an introvert who, after the Army, had a crush on a few girls during university (even dated briefly) and missions, but nothing came of those crushes. I had a different upbringing and already had a few boyfriends before I fell in love with my future hubby.

You know, it’s silly to think that a couple should divulge everything to each other in marriage. Some things are better left unsaid. What’s past is past. We are building on the present and Hubby and I talk all the time about everything in the present. We have 18 years of it accumulated. That’s a pretty good track record. It hasn’t come without its challenges either. The first 7 years of our marriage were the rockiest, but it got better after that and we are both better people after having gone through it.

How did we keep going when we wanted to be rid of each other? We held onto the concept of the threefold cord in Ecclesiastes 4:12. The picture is a rope with three intertwined strands, which is not easily broken. In marriage, two of the strands would represent us and the third strand God holding us tightly together. Another verse we held onto was the one that says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” in Proverbs 27:17.

It certainly hasn’t been a walk in the park. In many ways we are complete opposites, but that’s good, because we balance each other. Most importantly, we are best friends… usually.
Don't forget to enter Stanley and Katrina's
Book Blasty Tour $25 Amazon Gift Voucher
or PayPal Cash Giveway here!


*********************

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!

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Posted by Christina Morley at Friday, November 15, 2013 Comments Labels: , , , , , , ,

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Book Blasty Tour - Voucher/Cash Giveaway


Celebrating 
Stanley and Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge are celebrating their one year blogiversary (click here to read their inaugural post) by hosting their very own "Book Blasty Tour". Thank you for taking the time to visit this special stop along their tour. 

About the Book

Title: The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets

Authors: Stanley & Katrina, Pet Authors

Illustrator: Miro Chun

Year published:  2012

Updates: This book was updated in September of 2013 with a new cover, interior illustrations, and a sneak peek of book #2 in the series.

Publisher: CreateSpace

Number of pages: 106

Recommended ages: 5+ 

Summary (Amazon): After three years of living under the same roof as the dog in the house, Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge decides to write a letter to her canine housemate, Stanley. Katrina loves treats, naps and bossing the dog around. Stanley loves snow, attention and turkey. The diva kitty, Katrina, will have none of Stanley's antics and most certainly will not stand for him eating her food. The only reasonable solution is to take him to Kitty Court.



 Barnes & Noble *  Leanpub(digital formats) 

My Review

The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets is a hilarious novel that follows the rambunctious lives of two pets, a cat and a dog, with a couple of other animals adding their thoughts to the mix. One can easily imagine that these are truly the thoughts of these animals. If any kid is reading this book who doesn't own a pet, then this book will help him/her to dream up imaginary ones that have lots of character. Also, this book will inspire any young reader to read as it's funny and moves quickly.

The dialogue is mostly happening through a series of silly letters that are exchanged between Katrina, von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge, and Stanley, the young Labrador/Rottweiler mix. Then, to add more depth to the story, there are Narrator Segments cleverly included throughout. I like how the story is broken up in this way. The chapters are also short and sweet. 

Amanda's favorite part in the story was when Stanley ended one of his letters to Katrina with, "Okay, but I will still eat your food, Stanley" on page 3. She only listened to the beginning and soon lost interest as she's a bit young at age 5 for this novel. One of my favorite parts, besides what I've already mentioned, was The Pet Paper, a newspaper written by pets, on page 83.

I recommend this book for children
around the ages of 6 to 10.



The Buzz
"The book is really humorous. It is unique in a manner where you see the cat and dog communicating with each other about themselves, their likes, and dislikes in a letter form. The narrator's tidbits add to the charm of the book. The contrasting characters and their individual personalities have been etched well. The author has put the perspective of the pets in the forefront and written a unique and excellent book for children." ~ Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
"We enjoyed this book tremendously! It charmed us, made us laugh, and kept us wanting to read more. A tip of the hat to the pair of pets whose rivalry leads the story along its delightful course." ~ Amazon Reviewer

About the Authors: Stanley and Katrina

Stanley is a three-year-old black Labrador/Rottweiler mix who does his best to ignore Katrina.

Katrina von Cat the Master of Wisdom and Knowledge is an eight-year-old grey tabby cat who loves her toy mouse.They would love to tell you where they live but all they know is that they live in a tan house. For more information about Stanley & Katrina, please visit their website, www.StanleyAndKatrina.com.


* Free Printables For This Book! *
Kid Lit Printables has created fun and FREE printables for The Perpetual Papers of the Pack of Pets. Click here to view all available printables, now. 




Stanley & Katrina's Book
Blasty Tour Stops (2013)

November 8


 $25 Book Blasty Tour Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner's choice)
Contest runs:November 8  to November 30, 11:59 pm, 2013 
Open: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget above or by clicking here.
Terms and Conditions: A randomly drawn winner will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest or any other entity unless otherwise specified. If you have any additional questions, feel free to send us an email at stanleyandkatrina (at) gmail (dot) com.
* This giveaway is sponsored by the authors, Stanley & Katrina. *


Disclaimer: I received a free pdf copy of this book for my honest opinion, which I have given on My Review above.

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Posted by Christina Morley at Thursday, November 14, 2013 Comments Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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