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The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie Review and Giveaway

I was very excited to have the opportunity to review the book "The Forgiven Duke," which is a sequel to The Guardian Duke, which I read and reviewed just last February. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book by Jamie Carie and was eager to see what the latest adventure of Lady Featherstone would be. She is such an engaging character, full of spunk and determination.

About the Book:
Tethered by her impulsive promise to marry Lord John Lemon - the path of least resistance - Alexandria Featherstone sets off toward Iceland in search of her parents with a leaden heart. A glimpse of her guardian, the Duke of St. Easton - the path less traveled by - on Dublin’s shore still haunts her.


Will he come after her? Will he drag her back to London, quelling her mission to rescue her treasure-seeking parents, or might he decide to throw caution to the wind and choose Foy Pour Devoir: “Faith for Duty,” the St. Easton motto. The Featherstone motto Valens et Volens: “Willing and Able,” beats in her heart and thrums through her veins. She will find her parents and find their love, no matter the cost.


The powerful yet wing-clipped Duke of St. Easton has never known the challenge that has become his life since hearing his ward’s name. Alexandria Featherstone will be the life or the death of him. Only time and God’s plan will reveal just how much this man can endure for the prize of love.


About the Author:
When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.


Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.


The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.


As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she home schooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.


When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.


Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in her head for a long time, so the story went fast.


Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.


Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.


If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”


My thoughts:
This is a great "can't put it down" book. Lady Alexandria Featherstone is still looking for her treasure hunting parents, who have been declared dead. But, she won't believe that and she continues her search in this sequel to "The Guardian Duke."

I love the letters going back and forth between Gabriel and Alexandria. They are so full of feelings for each other and speak volumes. This is refreshing as nowadays, we are so caught up in text messaging and emails that the "personal touch" is sometimes forgotten.

I find the Christian theme refreshing. I like how Alex and the other characters are continually reminding themselves that they need to look to and trust God as they continue their adventure.

The book is beautifully written and you can easily visualize the surrounding countryside, the cities and each character. I'm looking forward to reading the final installment of this trilogy, which will release in September.

Connect
Visit their Website
Purchase on  Amazon
Like The Forgotten Castles Series on Facebook
Follow the author on Twitter

Win it!
This book is due to be released July 2012, but you can win your own copy now!!!


One lucky reader will win their very own copy of "The Forgiven Duke." All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open from ****, 2012 to ****, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

Shrimp, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells

These rich and cheesy spinach and ricotta-stuffed shells are easy to make and delicious "comfort food." The cool thing about it is you can substitute various cheeses, such as Asiago or feta, in place of Parmesan and other herbs and spices, such as thyme, basil, or dill, in place of oregano. I have also used zucchini and/or broccoli in place of the spinach. I just chopped it small so there wasn't big chunks of veggie in each shell.

Ingredients
2 cups Marinara pasta sauce, or your own home cooked yummy sauce
Cooking spray
2 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded Italian Cheese blend
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper1 10-oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
1 large egg yolk
1 garlic clove, minced
24 cooked jumbo pasta shells

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Spread 1/2 cup sauce over bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Combine ricotta and next 9 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons filling into each pasta shell. Arrange stuffed shells in prepared dish; spread with remaining 1 1/2 cups Basic Marinara. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Let stand 5 minutes before serving. I served my shells with a tossed salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.


Nutritional Information

Amount per serving
Calories: 329
Calories from fat: 27%
Fat: 9.8g
Saturated fat: 4.8g
Monounsaturated fat: 3g
Polyunsaturated fat: 1g
Protein: 19.6g
Carbohydrate: 39.4g
Fiber: 4.2g
Cholesterol: 67mg
Iron: 2.8mg
Sodium: 552mg
Calcium: 377mg

Great Uglee Ergonomic Pen Review and Giveaway!!

I have arthritis in my right hand and it really sucks! I work as an Executive Assistant, so my job includes working on the computer and taking LOTS of meeting minutes. I cannot use a thin pen at all since it makes my hand hurt and then my writing gets sloppy.

I was given a 3-pack of the UGLee Ergonomic Pen to use and review. I was so excited to try it because I wanted to see if it would ease my arthritis while I worked.

Here is what the website has to say:
The UGLee Pen is a revolutionary ergonomic pen that is designed, created and used by a real physician. This Doctor-inspired grip pen is redefining the way people view pens and writing.

The UGLee Pen is good for everyone who writes (even just a grocery list), and is especially helpful to people who experience pain and discomfort when writing, for example those with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.,. It's also the best writing utensil for children who are learning to write and are developing fine motor skills, as well as helpful for special-needs children who find holding a pen or pencil properly difficult. And for high-school and college students who have to take copious notes, this pen helps keep hands and fingers from cramping.

I excitedly ripped open the package and could not wait to try it. The base of the pen is a grey color gel which at first was very weird feeling. I'm not at all used to something so soft and pliable on my pen. But I used it all day the first day they were received and my hand liked it. It's the same length of the one I had used before, but the barrel was thicker and the gel very comfortable. This comfort pen is great. I don't have to give my pen a "death grip" to hold onto it. The gel surface on the base stays put in my hand without feeling sticky and therefore, I don't have to grip it tightly. Bonus for my arthritis!!

How you can connect with UGLee
Check out some testimonials from some of UGLee's customers
Like UGLee Pen in Facebook
Follow UGLee on Twitter

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a 3-pack of UGLee Pens. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway is open from April 10, 2012 to April 24, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

  Welcome to the Kindle Fire Giveaway hosted by Giveaway Promote and U.S. Coupons and Deals.   We've joined a fantastic group of bloggers to give away a Kindle Fire to one lucky person. Just complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway. One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.   Bloggers, join us in an upcoming giveaway event! Sign up and we'll keep you posted about future group events, like this one, hosted by Giveaway Promote. If you'd also like to hear about all other events currently open for blogger sign-ups, subscribe to Giveaway Promote's weekly group giveaway events and hops newsletter.  

This giveaway is open in the United States and Canada.
It will end at 11:59pm EST on April 22nd, 2012.

Shrimp Curry

We just love Thai food. My husband especially enjoys curry and since he spent 3 months in Thailand a few years ago, he knows good curry when he tastes it. I decided to give curry a try so here is a recipe I put together from many I found out there on the net.

Shrimp Curry Ingredients

2 pounds fresh or frozen peeled and deveined cooked shrimp
1 can of pineapple chunks, drained
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups coconut milk, half-and-half, light cream, or regular milk
2 tablespoons dry sherry (optional)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, curry powder, paprika, and nutmeg. Gradually stir in milk/half-and-half. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in shrimp, red pepper, pineapple, sherry (if desired), lemon juice, ginger, and Worcestershire sauce; heat through. Transfer to an ungreased 2-quart casserole.

3. Bake, uncovered, about 15 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned. Serve with hot cooked rice. If desired, top with cilantro, a lime wedge and/or peanuts. Makes 8 servings.

The 5 Love Languages of Children Review and Giveaway

On Sunday's I volunteer at my church as a Sunday school teacher for 4th graders. Our class is filled with children from different backgrounds, ethnicity's and each have vastly different personalities. It is always so important to communicate with a child in the way he or she understands and can feel valued as an individual. When I received the opportunity to review ” The 5 Love Languages of Children” I was very excited. I knew this book would help me with these kids.

Each child has a unique way of feeling loved. Some kids may like playing games and having personal one on one time with them. Other kids may be huggers and need that to feel loved. This book will show you the 5 love languages and how to identify them.

About the book:
To be their best, children need to feel loved. But if you and your child speak different love languages, your affection might get lost in translation, affecting the child’s attitude, behavior, and development. Dr. Gary Chapman’s groundbreaking Five Love Languages series has helped millions of couples communicate love more clearly, and Dr. Ross Campbell M.D. has applied the innovative system to children as well. The 5 Love Languages of Children gives practical suggestions for learning how your children interpret love and creating a sense of security in which they can thrive.

This book was full of information. It is very informative and in it you can discover your child's love language. The book also reviews the connection between learning , discipline and how the love language of your child affects these and other aspects of your lives.

I highly recommend ” The 5 Love Languages of Children” to all parents, grandparents and every person who interact with children on a daily basis. The book offers tips, suggestions and a questionnaire at the back of the book to review with your child. I know that next Sunday when I head to my class, I'll take the tips offered in the book and put them to good use.

Want to know what your love language is? Take the Love Language Assessment. There's a category for husbands, wives, children and others. I took the assessment and my love language is Acts of Service:

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Very interesting! And dead on for me. The 5 Love Languages of Children is an excellent tool to build communication with children of any age. For additional reading fun, check out my review on A Perfect Pet for Peyton I wrote a week ago. It's a children's book also written by Dr. Chapman about the 5 Love Languages.

Purchase and Connect
Purchase The 5 Love Languages of Children on their website, ChristianBook or other online retailers.
Learn about The 5 Love Languages
Like them on Facebook
Follow Dr. Gary Chapman on Twitter

Win it!

One lucky reader will win a copy of The 5 Love Languages of Children. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway is open from April 4, 2012 to April 18, 2012 at 11:59EST and is open to US entrants 18 years of age or older. Terms and conditions noted on the Rafflecopter form. Please keep in mind that any mandatory entries must be completed before you do any of the extra entries.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

I love condiments; various mustard's, marinades, sauces, salad dressings - you name it. There are so many on the market and each has it's own unique flavors and I love to experIment with all of them. Since I love to cook, I usually have a wide variety of these and other condiments to "play" with in my recipes.

I have been aware of Country Bob's sauces for quite some time and I was recently sent two bottles to review. I have read and heard so many rave reviews of Country Bob's so I was so excited to try them.

Their motto: Christ is our CEO. I love it! As a Christian, Jesus is the center of my life and to find a company with the same philosophy is awesome!

Since I love my Cook'n Recipe Organizer, I added this burger recipe to my personal "cookbook." It's just four simple ingredients:

1 lb ground beef,
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash Steak Seasoning
1/4 cup of Country Bob's Sauce

So simple, just mix it all until well blended and divide to 2 burgers (we were hungry). I grilled them on the George Foreman until they were cooked medium. I have to admit, they were some big burgers!!

We didn't have burger buns, but had some delicious sourdough bread from Apple Spice Junction so that was our bun. Added cheese and condiment-of-choice and dinner was done!

I love this sauce... it was the star of the show! It has just enough tang and a hint of sweet to make my taste buds get up and dance. I loved the bold flavor and how it enhanced the flavor of our burgers. Plus, adding just the right amount of the sauce made the burger that much juicier and flavorful. I've already used it in my stuffed pepper recipe with equally wonderful results.


If you are looking for some delicious recipes, you can purchase a copy of Country Bob's Cookbook which is full of recipes for any occasion. Next up for me: steaks, pulled pork and maybe even attempt a BBQ chicken pizza!

Of course, this is another way I thought of to enjoy the sauce.

Disclaimer: I received an item directly from Country Bob's in exchange for a review. I received no compensation to try out these products