"The Black Shard" Review and Giveaway

Last fall I did a review and giveaway for the book, "The Magic Warble". I really enjoyed that book and was very excited when I was contacted by the author Victoria Simcox to review the sequel, "The Black Shard".

Although The Black Shard stands well as a book on its own, it's even more fun to read them both. The Black Shard picks up a few years after the first book ends. The main character missed the magical land that she once visited and all her dear friends she made when she was there. While off at horse camp, she finds herself, once again, being transported back to Bernovem. She is thrilled to be reunited with her old friends! But she soon notices things aren't quite right as she embarks on another fantastic and dangerous adventure where she learns strength in weakness.

This was a great sequel and I was happily surprised at the end because it took a turn that I wasn't expecting and it left me wanting more. I love it when that happens. It took me awhile to actually finish this book because my 11 year old daughter kept sneaking it away from me (she wanted to read it as much as I did).

If you are looking for the perfect gift for that middle-school aged child in your life, these books certainly have my seal of approval.

You can find more about these books and purchase them here.

Giveaway!!

The author has once again generously offered to give one of you a copy of The Black Shard! There are plenty ways to win:

Mandatory Entry:

Leave me a comment about one of your favorite books from childhood.

Extra Entries:

(Please leave a comment for each entry)

Follow the author's blog.

"Like" The Black Shard on Facebook.

Follow the author (Victoria Simcox) on Twitter.

"Like" Household Cents on Facebook.

Follow Household Cents on Twitter.

Follow my Household Cents blog.


That's seven different ways to enter! I will be picking a winner using random.org on April 23.  Giveaway for US residents only.  Good luck!

Shutterfly Giveaway!

Remember last year when you helped me choose my Christmas card?  Well, this year I have something even better!  Shutterfly has generously offered 25 free holiday cards for 3 of my readers!  How cool is that!?

Like I said before, I'm not one to go all out on Christmas cards.  I don't like spending lots of money on something that people will look at once or twice and then throw away.  I'd rather pay just a couple dollars for some generic box of cards in the clearance bin.  But after my experience last year with Shutterfly, I just might be changing my tune.  It was so fun to design the card on their website.  It was very user-friendly, and I'm one of those that can get easily distracted and lost on a webpage.  Shhhh....don't tell anyone that I said that.  Their prices were very affordable and so many of my family and friends loved them!  My mom STILL has the one we sent to her on display in her living room.  That never happened with my old, cheesy, generic Christmas cards.

If you haven't been over to Shutterfly yet, they have lots of fun things to offer.  They have their holiday cards, of course.  But they also have lots of fun photo items that make great Christmas gifts.  Not to mention the photo books that are great for gift giving!

Ok, so on to the giveaway!!!

Mandatory entry:

All you have to do for this giveaway is leave a comment about Christmas cards.  Do you send them out?  Do you do letters and/or cards?  Do you not do anything?  Tell me what you think about sending/receiving holiday cards!

Additional entries:

"Like" Household Cents on Facebook.

Follow Household Cents on Twitter.

Follow Household Cents on Google Friend Connect.

Follow Household Cents on Networked Blogs.

Grab the Household Cents Button.

Share about this giveaway on your Facebook wall.

Blog about this giveaway.


There you have it, EIGHT different ways to enter this contest.  Please leave a separate comment for each entry.  Remember, this contest will have 3 winners, so you have a great chance of winning!  I'll use random.org to choose the winners and announce them on my Facebook page on November 14, 2011.  Good luck!

Chunky Bling Swarovski Ring Giveaway!

Have you heard of Chunky Bling?

When I first heard of them, I have to admit that I wasn't that interested.  Just another jewelry website.  Or so I thought....

When I actually looked into them, I was quite surprised at what I found.  Some of the jewelry was very pretty and appealing to me, and some of it wasn't quite my style.  But....the price was VERY much my style.  I couldn't believe that I had found handmade jewelry that was affordable.  I must admit, though, that I was skeptical.  I take pride in my frugality, but when I find something like jewelry that is actually affordable, I just assume it must be junk.  Once again, Chunky Bling proved me wrong.  I have been the proud owner of one of their Swarovski Pearl Rings for almost a year now and I am impressed.  It's very beautiful, high quality and I get compliments whenever I wear it.  The thing I like the most about it is that it fits over my big knuckles but still fits nice and snug on my small finger.

Another fun thing they offer is their online jewelry party.  They say to "Think of it as a Tupperware party, but without the hassle of vacuuming, dusting and preparing food before guests arrive.  Because you can do everything right from your computer!"

COUPON CODE!!


The generous people at Chunky Bling are offering an exclusive coupon code for all of you.  You can use it to get any watch set for only $24.95.  Use the code:  TANYA234    This coupon code is good through November 21, 2011.  I can think of at least two people on my Christmas list that would love one of these watches.


GIVEAWAY!!


Chunky Bling is also offering to give away one Swarovski Ring of any color and style to one of you!  How great is that?!?  Here are the details:

Mandatory Entry:

All you have to do is visit Chunky Bling's Build Your Own Watch page and come back here and leave a comment telling me your favorite watch band and face combination.

Additional Entries:

For more entries, feel free to do any or all of the following (leave a comment for each thing you do):

~ Like Chunky Bling on Facebook
~ Participate in the Name That Bling contest
~ Follow me on GFC
~ Follow me on Network Blogs
~ Like me on Facebook
~ Follow me on Twitter
~ Grab my Button
~ Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall/page
~ Blog about this giveaway

That makes a total of 10 possible entries!  I will be using random.org to choose a winner and announce it on my Facebook page on November 14, 2011.  (This giveaway if for US and Canadian residents only.)


Good luck!

"The Magic Warble" Giveaway - Winner!

Thank you to all who entered this giveaway!  I used random.org to choose the winner from the comments and she is.....

Amy W.

Congratulations!  The author will be in contact with you soon.

Thanks again to all who participated!

"The Magic Warble" Review and Giveaway

I love a good book.  Do you?  My kids are definitely following in my footsteps as they love to read, too.  When I was contacted to do a review of a fantasy novel for children ages 9-13, I jumped at the chance.

The book is called, The Magic Warble, written by Victoria Simcox.

It's a story of a 12-year old misfit girl who is mysteriously transported to another world full of dwarfs, fairies, talking animals and an enchanted ball referred to as the "magic warble".  As it turns out, this misfit girl is instrumental in the mission of returning the warble to it's rightful home and ridding the land of the evil queen.  The girl makes wonderful friends along the journey and learns plenty of lessons, including ones that have to do with perseverance and sacrifice.

When this book first arrived, I started reading it out loud to my kids.  My 11 year old daughter and 8 year old son loved it.  Even my 5 year old daughter would listen in and seemed to enjoy it.  It's full of adventure, excitement, twists and turns.  It also reads at a fast pace and the chapters are short - this is great for those kids who get bored quickly (like mine).

The author has generously offered to give one of you a signed copy of The Magic Warble!  This could be a great Christmas present for the middle-school aged child in your life!  And there are plenty of ways to enter this giveaway - so there are plenty of chances to win!


Enter to win:

Mandatory Entry:  Leave a comment telling me who you would give this book to if you were to win.


Other ways to win:

(Please leave a comment for each entry)

- Follow Victoria Simcox on Google Friend Connect on her blog

- "Like" The Magic Warble on Facebook

- Follow Victoria Simcox on Twitter

- Grab The Magic Warble button

- Follow Household Cents on Google Friend Connect

- Follow Household Cents on Twitter

- "Like" Household Cents on Facebook

- Grab my button

- Blog about this giveaway


Woohoo!  That's a total of ten possible entries!  Knock yourself out.

I will be announcing a winner on Tuesday October 18th, 2011, using random.org.  This giveaway is for US only.

Of course, if you don't want to wait for the giveaway to end, you can just purchase the book at The Magic Warble website.




***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.***

The Money Book Giveaway Winner

We have a winner!  I used random.org to find our winner.  GiantSis, you will be receiving an email from me shortly.  Congratulations!  I hope you enjoy this ebook as much as I did!  Thanks to all who entered!

The Money Book - Review and Giveaway!

I recently had the opportunity to read "The Money Book" by Rosally Saltsman.  Before I started reading this, I assumed it was going to be another one of those "10 Ways to Make Money" or "Get Rich Quick" kind of books.

Boy was I wrong, and it was nice to be pleasantly surprised.

This ebook concentrated more on our attitudes toward money and what money truly is - a tool.  As I read through the book, I continued to evaluate and re-evaluate the way I looked at money and my feelings toward it.  The author discusses preparedness, thankfulness and living within one's means.  And even though I said this isn't another one of those "Ways to Get Rich" type of books, there are tips to stay out of debt, ways to save money and even ways to make money included.  But the bulk of this book cuts right to the heart of the matter, our attitudes.

I plan on reading and re-reading "The Money Book" every few years or so - that's how much I liked it.

Now if only we could get our government to read this book....... (and that is as political as you will ever see me get here at HC).


The Giveaway:

The author has generously agreed to give a copy of her ebook to one of my lucky readers!  Woohoo!

Mandatory Entry:

To enter, just leave a comment telling us why you would like a copy of "The Money Book".  That's it!

Additional Entries:

(Please leave a separate comment for each additional entry.)

-Follow me on Google Friend Connect (1 entry).

-Follow me on Twitter (1 entry).

-'Like' me on Facebook (1 entry).

-Grab my button (2 entries).

-Blog about this giveaway (2 entries).


Good luck!  I'll choose a winner using random.org on February 11.

Now, if you just can't wait for the giveaway, you can purchase "The Money Book" for yourself at Rosally Saltman's site.  When you do, thank you for using the promo/referral code hcents which lets them know that I sent ya.

Herbal Nurturing Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the giveaway is:
 
Kat!  Congratulations! 

Thanks to those who entered!

If you would like to purchase a copy of this great ebook, just click on the button above and that will take you to the purchasing page.  Michele, the author of Herbal Nurturing, is generously offering my readers a 25% discount on this ebook until tomorrow (the 29th).  The discount code is "HOUSE 25".  Woohoo!

Thanks!

Herbal Nurturing Giveaway!

If you are anything like me, you enjoy being frugal and that includes saving money on medical expenses.  One small way to do that is by making some of your own balms and herbal remedies for common family ailments.  Most of the ingredients that go into these recipes are cheaper than over the counter remedies and much cheaper than an unnecessary trip to the ER.  Plus, they are all natural and since you are making them, you know exactly what is in them and in turn you can feel more confident in what you are giving to your family. 

 

I recently got a copy of "Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing & Learning Guide" and I am impressed.  It has dozens of recipes for at home natural healing for basic ailments.  I can't wait to try my hand at making the 3 in 1 Healing Balm which you can then use to make lip balm, sinus and sleep rub, and a scrapes soother.  There are recipes for a headache soother, pink eye relief, cough syrup, immune booster syrup and more.  There are also a few recipes for womanly "ailments" during that time of the month, pregnancy and postpartum.

Michele, the author of Herbal Nurturing over at Frugal Granola has generously offered a free copy of her ebook to the winner of this giveaway!  Yay!!!

Mandatory Entry:

To enter, just leave a comment here telling me why you would like a copy of this ebook.

Additional entries (please leave a comment for each entry):

"Like" Frugal Granola on Facebook

"Like" Household Cents on Facebook

Follow me on Google Friend Connect

Blog about this giveaway (leave the link to your blog so we can all go check it out!)

For those of you who can't wait for the giveaway, click on the Herbal Nurturing button in the above post, or on the Herbal Nurturing button in my sidebar to purchase your own copy.

I will be using random.org to choose a winner on 12/27.

Good luck!

Skoy Cloths Giveaway! And the winners are.....

I just used random.org to pick the two winners for the Skoy Cloths giveaway.  Kat and Elle......congratulations! I'll be contacting you by email.  Thanks to all who entered!!!

Skoy Cloths Review and Giveaway!

Have you ever heard of Skoy Cloths? I recently had the chance to give them a try and boy, do I like 'em!

I like to save money by not purchasing disposable paper products. I rarely buy paper towels and am happy using my washcloths in the kitchen. But I don't like that nasty smell that shows up on the kitchen rags after I've used them for a few days. You know what I'm talking about, right? Gross. I was even more grossed out when I found out that smell is from bacteria. Blech.

Enter: Skoy Cloths.

They are a great multi-use cloth. You can use them in place of your paper towels or kitchen rags. They are SO absorbant! My kids loved playing with them because of that reason alone. :) You just keep re-using them and throw them in the washing machine or dishwasher when they get nasty. Yes. You heard me correctly......the dishwasher! How cool is that?! Well, I think it's cool anyway. And if you want to zap that nasty bacteria, get it wet and microwave it for a minute. Love it.

When I received these, I really put them to the test. I washed dishes, scrubbed my countertop, scrubbed gross, dried, stuck-on food from the baby's high chair, cleaned messes off of the floor, etc. I was curious to see how they would hold up. Here is a picture of one after 4 weeks of use:

It's a bit worn as it's done some serious scrubbing and been through a few washes, but it's holding up great! Definitely worth the small price tag.

WANNA TRY THEM?

Skoy Enterprises has agreed to give two lucky readers a set of four Skoy Cloths! Woohoo!

Mandatory Entry:

Head on over to Skoy Cloths website. Then come back here and tell me one thing you think you would like about these cloths.

Extra Entries:

*Follow me with Google Friend Connect. (Current followers count, too.) Leave a comment letting me know that you follow.

*"Like"  Household Cents on Facebook. Leave a comment telling me that you did.

*"Like" Skoy on Facebook.  Leave a comment telling me that you did.

*Blog about this giveaway. Leave a comment telling us where to find your blog post so that we can all go look at it.

*Grab my button. Leave a comment telling us where to find it.

I will use random.org to choose TWO winners on the evening of September 27, 2010.

Good luck!

This review is my opinion only. Others may feel differently about this product. Skoy provided the cloths in return for an honest review.

CSN Stores Giveaway Winner!

And we have a winner!  I used random.org and "kenzismum" is the winner.  She has been contacted and has 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be chosen.

Congrats!  I sure hope you enjoy the gift card!   :)

Thanks to all who entered!  I will have occasional giveaways in the future, so feel free to keep coming back and checking for them.

CSN Stores Gift Card Giveaway!

What would you do with a $40 gift card?  Maybe put it towards a new bedroom vanity?  *Sigh*  I've always wanted one of those....

Or maybe a new pair of shoes?  I don't know about you, but I never seem to have enough shoes.

Or a diaper bag?  Well, here is your chance to win!

CSN Stores has generously offered to give one of my reader's a $40 gift certificate good towards anything in their 200+ stores!  How great is that?

Here is what you have to do in order to sign up for this giveaway:

First and Mandatory Entry:

Head over to CSN Stores and have a look around.  Come back here and leave a comment telling me what you would like to spend the gift certificate on if you won.

That's it!

If you would like more chances to win, leave a comment for each of the following things that you do:

Extra Entries:

1.  One entry for becoming a follower on Google Friend Connect.  (Current followers count, too!)

2.  One entry for "liking" Household Cents over on Facebook.

3.  One entry for blogging about this giveaway on your blog.  (Leave me your URL address so that we can all visit your blog and read the entry.)

4.  One entry for "grabbing my button" and putting it on your blog.  (Leave me your URL address so that we can all visit your blog and see it.)

I will keep this giveaway open for two weeks and will use random.org to choose a winner on the weekend of August 7-8, 2010.  The winner will then have 48 hours to get back to me, so please make sure that I can easily find your email address through your comment.

Good Luck!!!

Free Khakis from Dockers

Are you ready for some football? Superbowl football, that is.

If you will be watching the big game this Sunday, keep your eyes peeled for the "Men Without Pants" commercial. (You can get a preview of it here.) As soon as their ad runs, be among the first to register and you could win a pair of men's Soft Khakis! They are giving away over 2,000 pairs of these men's khaki pants ($30 value)! Go here to register once you have seen the ad.

Thanks Des Moines Coupon Mom for this great tip!!!