Saturday, June 29, 2013

Book Review: Dark Dawn By Melissa Brodsky and Nicole Andrews Moore



Have you entered the Dark Dawn giveaway I recently posted? It ends Sunday night at midnight!

When I was given the opportunity to help support local author Melissa Brodsky and her co-author Nicole Andrews Moore, I jumped at it! Someday maybe I'll write a book of my own, and in the meantime I'm happy to help other local bloggers promote theirs.

Dark Dawn is the first book in the Dark Redemption Series, about a group of angels sent to Earth to save mankind from the evil Fae. After thousands of years of what feels like a fruitless battle, the group of Guardians begins to tire of the constant struggles associated with their lifestyle. They go against God's direct orders and begin forming close relationships with mortals, jeopardizing the long followed edict to put the needs of many over the needs of a few. Like a house of cards, their fellowship begins to collapse as well. All at once, everything changes. Will their choices lead to God's complete abandonment? And what exactly happens when an angel falls?

This novella is a fairly short introduction to the series' characters and story line. There is Salathiel, the original angel and assumed leader, Caim, Eli, Anna, Zoey, and Gus. I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series!

There are two versions of the book available, one with very adult content, and a milder version.

Check out this video/book trailer that was created by a fan!




Dark Dawn is available for purchase on Amazon:
Adult Version
Non-Adult Version 






Friday, June 28, 2013

Shaklee 180™ Monthly Video Update: Month 4

www.michigalmom.com



This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating in the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. My opinions are my own.

People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180 program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

As promised earlier, here is a link to my latest monthly video update. I'd love to know what you are doing to stay active this summer, so please leave me a comment!

(And no, I did not cut all my hair off! It's just up in a bun!)









Shaklee 180™ 4 Month Update

www.michigalmom.com



This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating in the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. My opinions are my own.

People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180 program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

I'm now totally accustomed to eating my Shaklee 180  meal bars and shakes for two meals a day. It's been four months, a quarter of a year (!), and I think I will miss my Shaklee stuff when this program ends! I love - no, really - LOVE, having two of my meals pre-planned every single day. If only feeding the rest of my family were so simple!

I don't really know what is going on, because I haven't lost anymore weight on the program since month 1. I won't lie, this is pretty frustrating. As I've admitted in previous posts, I haven't exactly been a poster child for strictly sticking with the program this whole four months. I haven't been horrible with it, but there's always room for improvement. This past month, though, I've been much better. And I've even noticed a difference in how my clothes are fitting. I put on some capris the other day that I couldn't even pull up all the way last summer, and they fit comfortably. That is a more important gauge of progress for me than numbers on a scale. But...I would still really like to see those numbers go down! Why does my body hang onto weight like bacon grease in a frying pan????

Again, like last month, I think a lot of my issues have to do with snacking. Although I have been better, there are still certain times that I want nothing more than to curl up under a cozy blanket with a quart of ice cream or a bag of chocolate chips. Yes, I have gone there. Desperate times, people.

Because I've really been trying to live a healthier lifestyle, knowing that consuming lots of sugar and snacking all the time is not great for my health has been a pretty good motivator for me. But I have moments of weakness. Not buying junk food has been a great help. There are times when the junk makes its way in, though. Did I mention I have four kids? With grandparents who love to buy them foods that they didn't allow their own children to eat?

The other side of the health and fitness coin is exercise, which I'll be discussing in my monthly video update. Look for it later this evening!





Monday, June 24, 2013

Giveaway: Dark Dawn and Amazon Gift Card






I am excited to help support local authors Nicole Andrews Moore and Melissa Brodsky with the release of their new book, Dark Dawn! My review will be coming up Saturday, but in the meantime...enter to win some fab prizes!

Want to get reading right away? Here are the links to purchase Dark Dawn:
(Tamer Version) http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Dawn-Redemption-ebook/dp/B00DDF7FG6
(Adult Version) http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Dawn-Redemption-ebook/dp/B00DDF7UB6

Be sure to come back this Saturday to read my review!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, June 17, 2013

Metro Detroit Mommy 5000 Fan Celebration & Birthday Bash!



First I would like to thank the bloggers who are helping to promote this awesome giveaway: 

Mom Among Chaos
http://momamongchaos.blogspot.com

A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures
http://www.slowcookeradventures.com


Mind on Movies
http://www.mindonmovies.com/
MichiGal
http://michigalmom.com/

Yes/No Films
http://www.yesnofilms.com

Daily Leisure
http://www.dailyleisure.com

Baby Bear
http://www.babybearhugs.com

3 Months Free Mom Sponsor on online Magazine
for Michigan Mommy business owners
Michigan Home Mommy Works

And here are the wonderful prizes: 


$50 cash prize from
Metro Detroit Mommy

Life on Paper Photography by Bri Mason
http://www.lifeonpaperphoto.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LifeOnPaperPhoto
On-Location Family Photography Session
(two adults with kids)
within 25 miles of Canton.
($175)Brithday Bash/5K Fan Prize:

4 headbands from 
Lilly Bee's Shop

http://www.mythirtyone.com/dmanjo/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/592003664161269/
A 31 Keep-It-Caddy and $5.00 gift card ($27.00)

Robin Slawnyk Photography
http://www.robinslawnyk.com/
http://www.facebook.com/robinslawnykphoto
Free Mini Session ($100)

MDM Bowtique
(2) $20 Gift Certificates

$25 Gift Certificate to
James & Olive

Momcat's Signing Academy
http://www.momcats-signing-academy.com/
http://www.facebook.com/momcats.signing.academy
Baby Signing Time Vol. 1 Bundle ($39.95)

Twinkle Fairy Bowtique
4 hair bows and a hanging bow holder ($27)

Sugar Baby Boutique 
Mommy & Me Apron Set $29

Sew Mary Beth
http://sewmarybeth.com/
$25 Gift Certificate

B Posh Events
http://bposheventplanning.com/
Dora Character for 25 minutes

Over the Rainbow Children Clothing & Accessories
$30 gift certificate
Photography by Life on Paper

Baby Boot Camp Farmington Hills
4 class session (Value $45)
http://www.babybootcamp.com/mi-farmingtonhills.aspx

Sadie's Room
Hair Bow Board and a pair of Hair Flowers
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sadiesroom

Kindermusik at Evola Music of Canton
Kindermusik Gift Basket

Tiny Town Play Lounge
1 month Play Pass
http://www.tinytownplaylounge.com/

Playaway
$25 gift certificate
http://playawayonline.com/

Aries Music
http://www.ariesmusicstudio.com/
http://facebook.com/ariesmusicstudio
3 Kidermusik gift baskets
(Free class, instrument, music download card, more!)
($25 each)

AirTime Trampoline & Game Park
$25 gift certificate
http://www.airtimetrampoline.com/

Alison Elle Edible Art
Elle Edible Art is a cottage food business in Lake Orion, MI.
One dozen custom decorated sugar cookies up to $35 value.
Redeem by ordering through Alison Elle Edible Art
(
https://www.facebook.com/AlisonElleEdibleArt).
Please allow minimum 2 week notice.
Available for pick-up or local delivery only.
Offer good through December 2013.

An in home organic tan
Bask - Mobile Organic Spray Tans

Boogie Babies
One day play pass (4 winners)


Chelsie Maurer Photography
One free photo session (Expires Sept 30, 2013)

Dolly Madelynn's
BEAUTIFUL 18 Inch Wedding Gown,
Veil and Bouquette Doll Outfit that will fit American Girl
and similar 18 inch dolls (30.00 Retail)

Cindy's Cookies
http://cindyscookies.storenvy.com/
2 sets of 2 dozen lactation cookies, local orders only ($30)

Slick Sugar
http://www.slicksugar.com/
Belly Banter Stickers (3 winners)
Photo by: Brooke King Photography

Kindermusik of Clinton Township and Macomb Township
Kindermusik Storybook, CD, tambourine, and a free class.

Perfect Nanny Match
3 Hours Free Babysitting **
http://PerfectNannyMatch.com/
After the first 3 hours of babysitting, family must agree to pay babysitter $12/hr. Family may not use this babysitter again, without going through Perfect Nanny Match's procedures.

One hand-stamped, personalized necklace - winner's choice up to $40 value
Little Painted Polka Dots

Jennifer McArthur Photography LLC
2 gift certificates for $50 each off a regular priced session
http://www.jennifermcarthurphotography.com/

It Works, Wrap it up Amie 
It Works!
http://amiekelp.myitworks.com/
FREE wrap ($30)

Little Lady
www.shoplittlelady.com
http://www.shoplittlelady.com/
Flamingo Tutu Dress & Leggings Set
and matching Headband ($49)

Cousins Clothing
Belly Banter Promo Donor

Restyle Child
$20 gift certificate and one bottle of Piggy Paint
http://www.restylechild.com/


pArt of Life Photography
http://www.partoflifephotography.com/
mini session, with 8x10 and 4x5 accordion album ($175)

It Works! Independent Distruibutor
Tracy Got Wraps (It Works!)
https://tracygotwraps.myitworks.com/Home
One Ultimate Body Applicator (Body Wrap) ($35)

Wildtree Cooking with Tammy
http://www.mywildtree.com/tammyw/
$25 in Wildtree Goodies

1 Yoga class and 2 drop in play passes
Nature's Playhouse

Music with Ms. Carissa Knoles
http://www.mscarissarocks.com/
Free Pass to a class of your choice (three winners) $10 value each
Locations all over the Metro Detroit Area
A Slow Cooker Cook Book from:
A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventures


http://akissmeansiloveyou.com/
two signed copies of "A Kiss Means I Love You" ($32)

Please Read These RULES
  • many of the prizes are for local winners, so therefore I will be emailing the winners asking for their top prize choices.  You do not need to be local to Metro Detroit to win.
  • winners will be emailed in batches asking for their top prize picks.  You will have 48 hours to respond to the email or your prize will be forfeited.  
  • winners can and probably will win more than one prize.
  • YOU MUST complete ALL of the mandatory entries to be entered.  If you only do some you are not qualified to win any prizes. The Giveaway Tools app won't even select you as a winner!  
  • If you have one invalid entry, you risk losing all of your entries.  They will be verified to the best of my ability, so be honest!  
  • Yes, there are over 40 mandatory entries, each participant has donated time, money or a prize to be a part of this giveaway.  Please show support by liking each of the pages.  If you don't want to like all the pages, don't enter!  
  • have fun and good luck!

5k Birthday Bash
Options
Ends: 7/8/2013 11:59 PM EST
Entries: 1021
Email:reload
Name:
Open to residents of the U.S. 18+
Enter your information and click begin!