My Buddy is Cancer Free!!

So yesterday I found out that my BFF is cancer free! She's only 29, married, and has 3 kids and was facing the possibility that she had lymphoma. Her biopsy results came in yesterday and showed no signs of cancer thank God!!

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Head Trip by Jack Eadon

Superfetation: A second embryo becomes implanted in the uterus after one has already been implanted. Though common in animals, this is extremely rare in humans, about once in 40,000,000 births. Conceived at different times the babies are born on the same day just like twins, which is why they are also called Super Twins. There have only been 10 documented cases of superfetation.

Conceived separately a month apart they were born as twins, one full term, the other premature. Most twins have a unique, special bond but this was not the case   between Marcus and Roger Ramsay. Roger Ramsay's jealousy and hatred for his brother, Marcus, began in-utero and continued into adulthood. The boys spend their entire lives in constant competition with each other in every aspect of their lives. When one succeeded the other failed which only added fuel to the fire and eventually drives one of the boys to drastic measures.

Head Trip by Jack Eadon is the first book in a series covering the seven deadly sins and their effects on the lives of these "Super Twins". The series follows the main character, Marcus Ramsay, and his experiences with the deadly sins while on a journey to find the love of his life.

I liked Head Trip even though I found it a little bizarre, but that's okay because I'm a little bizarre myself. I guess what I found a little off-putting was the author's focus on the main character's male genitalia. I definitely want to read the other books in the series because I'm curious to see where the story goes from here. If your curiosity was piqued here, then enter below for your chance to win your very own copy of Head Trip by Jack Eadon! a Rafflecopter giveaway

** I was provided a copy of the book for review as well as financial compensation however all opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**

B2B Book Review: Death's Crooked Shadow by Gordon N. McIntosh

Murder, greed, and corruption. Those are just a few things you'll find in Death's Crooked Shadow by Gordon N. McIntosh. An elaborate web of lies and deceit that will keep you guessing right up until the very end. This is an action packed thriller that is a must read! Here's the excerpt from the back cover:

Real estate developer Doug Sutherland thinks it is just going to be 

another sweltering summer day in Chicago. But when the foreman

restoring his late father's rundown office building discovers a skull and

human bones encased in a crumbling Greek column, Sutherland is suddenly

propelled into a cauldron of greed, sadism, and murder.

The last thing Sutherland needs is bad publicity. When he learns the victim

is notorious alderman Danny Delaney, however, he realizes a fifteen-year-old

mystery is about to be solved- and that now, his deceased father is one of the 

prime suspects. Then the murdered man's notebook and videotapes suddenly

surface, and Sutherland discovers that his father had more secrets than he ever

realized. As he is relentlessly harassed for what he might know- endangering both

his life and his business- Sutherland must convince everyone he knows nothing.

Unfortunately, no one believes him.

As a desperate Sutherland collaborates with an ambitious reporter and his

calculating sister in a pursuit strewn with murder victims, he soon finds out

that trusting the wrong person can lead to dire consequences.

I had a really hard time putting this down. The thing I liked best about Death's Crooked Shadow, is that it's believable. Anytime you combine power and greed bad things happen and rich people try to cover it up. Also, I liked that it kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it figured out there was a new twist. I really liked the main character, Doug Sutherland, for some reason when I picture him I see George Clooney. That being said, I think this has the makings for a good movie too!  I look forward to reading more from Gordon N. McIntosh in the future.

** I was provided a copy of the book for review purposes as well as monetary compensation. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**

Wordless Wednesday: My Dog Buster

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment by Diane Wing, M.A.

I have always been fascinated with all things paranormal and occult. So when I was selected to review The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment by Diane Wing, M.A., I was really excited. I've had readings done a few times and found it to be a very interesting experience, and I definitely wanted to learn more, especially how to do readings myself. I found this book to be perfect for a beginner such as myself. Here's the excerpt from the back cover:

The True Nature of Tarot dispels the myths and negative

connotations that surround the tarot by sharing the personal

experiences of the author, Diane Wing, a tarot reader with

25 years of experience. Tarot is discussed as a tool of 

enlightenment and understanding. Diane Wing shares intuitive

techniques for reading that take you beyond the conventional

card meanings and deep into tarot as a tool to channel energy

and increase psychic sensitivity:

- Develop your own style of reading tarot, from choosing your

deck to pulling information from the cards.

- Learn how a reading is experienced from the perspectives

of both the reader and the inquirer.

- Understand the variables that impact the accuracy of your 

reading.

- Discover ways to increase the amount of information pulled

from the tarot.

- Become expert at grounding and centering to maximize your

energetic stability on a daily basis.

- Learn powerful spreads that give you ways to see interactions

between the cards.

- Increase your awareness of the ethics of imparting information.

After reading the book I had the pleasure of doing a little Q&A with the author Diane Wing.

Q1: How long have you been giving readings?

Diane: From a very early age, I was interested

in tarot, astrology, meditation, levitation, and all 

things magical. My mom had reading parties with

tarot readers and astrologers since I was little. She 

gave me my first tarot deck when I was 9 years old.

It always fascinated me that it was possible to derive 

information from pictures on cards. The more I used

the cards, the more I wanted to learn about them. The

more I learn, the more I understand the depth of

meaning held within the cards and structure of the tarot,

making it a lifelong study and practice. I've been reading

professionally since 1986.

Q2: What is your favorite spread?

Diane: I prefer the free-form spreads I discuss in the book.

They allow me to follow the flow of energy for the inquirer and

see the best way around obstacles and internal blockages.

The number of cards I use depends on the complexity of

the question. For a specific problem the inquirer is facing, I

may use a 5-card spread with two on top, one in the middle, and 

two on the bottom to give me the central issue and the variables

impacting it. Then we can pull more cards as needed for 

clarification and deeper insight into the problem.

Q3: When it comes to giving a Tarot reading, are certain

people more sensitive or perceptive at reading the cards than

others?

Diane: To find out if this is the best method for you, come to the

cards knowing that you have intuitive ability and view them as a 

tool to assist you in consistently opening to your gifts. Make sure 

you select a deck that speaks to you. My first deck (the1JJ Swiss

Tarot Deck) never really felt right to me, and for a long time I thought

it was my lack of ability. Once I found a deck that I connected with

(Morgan Greer), the information poured forth. Tarot may not be the

right tool for certain people. Some prefer a pendulum, others prefer

to hold an object and get information that way (psychometry). There

are many tools of divination to choose from. Each person is unique in

their gifts. I teach an intuitive development course that helps students 

understand the way information comes through for them and we strengthen

that ability during the class. Those interested can check out my events 

page at: www.forestwitch.com/new/events.php for dates and times of upcoming

teleclasses you can take from the convenience of your own home.

Q4: Are there things that one can do to increase their perceptiveness

and hone their skills?

Diane: The healthier you are physically, the more energy can come through

you so that you can be an open channel to information. Your environment 

may also enhance or limit your perceptiveness. For some natural environments 

are best; for others, they may be more open in urban settings. Test it for yourself

to see where you feel most open. In addition to choosing the right deck, studying

the cards, and practicing to see which spreads and methods work best for you,

learn to trust yourself and the accuracy of what is coming through. Validate

the information whenever you can, so that you build confidence. There is a section

in The True Nature of Tarot that talks extensively about ways to increase your

ability and overcome blocks.

I had purchased a deck of tarot cards a long time prior to this review, but I really didn't like the cards. I decided once I received The True Nature of Tarot, to go on Ebay and pick a new deck. Once I found a deck I liked, Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza, I was really excited to start trying out the spreads discussed in the book. I definitely felt more connected to this deck than the other one, It was very strange and Kind of hard to explain. I did several readings for myself and for friends and family. My favorite spread from the book is a free form spread using one card for each letter in the person's first and middle names. I was able to pull some amazing information from the cards that not only blew me away but also my friends and family too! I learned a lot from this book and look forward to increasing the strength of my readings. You can purchase a copy from Amazon, however, I'm excited to announce that I have a copy of The True Nature of Tarot to give away to one of my wonderful readers! Just follow the instructions listed in the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Good luck to all and thanks for reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**I was provided a copy of the book for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**

B2B Book Review: Murder Under the Microscope by Jane Bennett Munro

Blackmail, deception, stalking, and murder. This is what can be found amongst the page of this riveting debut murder mystery, Murder Under the Microscope by Jane Bennett Munro. Using her 33 years of expertise as a pathologist, Jane Bennett Munro spins a web of mystery in this fast paced medical murder mystery. Discovering the who and the why of this book will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, I couldn't put it down! Here's the excerpt from the back cover:

Dr. Antoinette Day- a young, successful pathologist known to her

friends and colleagues as Toni- has no idea what awaits her when

Dr. Sally Shore arrives at Perrine Memorial Hospital in Twin Falls,

Idaho, to fill in for a colleague recovering from a heart attack. Toni's

life is about to become a living hell.

Dr. Shore is supposed to see patients, perform surgeries, and take turns

covering the emergency room until the regular surgeon recovers from his

quadruple bypass. But unfortunately, she uses her temporary opportunity to

discredit Toni and tarnish her reputation with her medical colleagues. When

the visiting surgeon is conveniently murdered- her lifeless body found in Toni's

office- Toni is the obvious suspect. But Toni is not going down without a fight.

Forced to solve the murder in order to save her future, Toni's life becomes

even more complicated when her ex-boyfriend starts stalking her and threatening

her husband.

In this riveting murder mystery, a stubborn pathologist must rely on more than

just her microscope as she delves into a complicated web of deception, soon

discovering that it is not just her freedom at stake- but her life.

Not only is the story line really good, but I also loved the characters too. Dr. Toni Day is spunky as my grandma used to say! I'd actually like to see her character again, maybe in a series. This book should definitely make it on your summer reading list! Murder Under the Microscope by Jane Bennett Munro can be purchased at both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble so head on over and grab your copy today!

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: The Dawn of Saudi: In Search For Freedom by Homa Pourasgari

When I think of the word freedom, I think of things like the right to vote, the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, basically the right to say and do as I please within reason. The Dawn of Saudi by Homa Pourasgari opened my eyes to a number of freedoms that as an American woman I sadly take for granted on a daily basis. I'm talking about such things as what clothes I wear, whom I choose to date or marry, where I go, or who I talk to along the way. The Dawn of Saudi is a contemporary romantic mystery, though fictitious this book gives a startling look into arranged marriages and life as a woman in the Arab culture. Here's the summary from the back cover:

'In a country where women have no rights, two women

fight for freedom. Sahar Al- Hijazi refuses to allow men

to decide her destiny. Her bet friend, Dawn Parnell, made

the mistake of changing her religion and marrying a Saudi.

He misled her into thinking he was a progressive thinker.

Trapped in Riyadh, these women desperately seek a way to

escape.

Based in Pasadena, California, Crawford Enterprises with

strong business ties to the Al- Hijazi family couldn't care less

about the plight of these women or any Saudi woman for that

matter. Their main goal is to accumulate wealth and increase

their earnings per share. Headed by Andrew and his son Jason

Crawford, the conglomerate is well recognized in the business

world but as Jason begins evaluating his life and pondering

the Saudi way of life, he starts questioning the betrayal of his

ethics for the sake of making a profit.

With mystery and romance lingering in the air, the lives of

Jason, Sahar, And Dawn intertwine, giving readers a glimpse

of life in the kingdom, from the crushing of the female spirit to

the torture of foreigners from third world countries. Yet, world 

governments remain quiet in the name of oil, greed, and politics.

This book was a definite page turner with the perfect combination of mystery and romance. There's even a shocking twist! Throughout the book you get a very real look into Arabic culture. Though beautiful in many ways, it is definitely pretty scary to me too. I loved how Homa Pourasgari intertwined the need to bring awareness within the novel. I loved the book and think this would definitely be a great vacation read! While relaxing on the beach reading this, try to taike a moment to reflect on your freedom and be thankful for it. I'm pleased to announce that I have another copy of The Dawn of Saudi: In Search For Freedom to give away to one of my lucky readers! Follow the instructions below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**All views expressed are 100% my own and unbiased. I was provided a book to read and keep for this review as well as financial compensation.**

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Remnant by Roland Allnach

When I think of the word remnant I see a small piece of fabric left on a bolt. The word remnant has other meanings:

1. A small remaining quantity of something.
2. A surviving trace or vestige.
3. A small surviving group of people.

Remnant by Roland Allnach is a collection of three novellas where each of the above meanings surfaces. Here's the excerpt from the back cover:

When all that's left is broken which piece do you pick up

first?

So the question stands, and seeks fulfillment-- a path reaching

from the shores of a doomed paradise, through an illusory reality,

and ending in a devastated future. REMNANT, a collection of three

novellas, is both the sum of theses tales and the element that binds 

them together.

 

In the first story, "All the Fallen Angels", a man named Stohko is in desperate need of money so he agrees to a job that will take him back to the planet where he committed unspeakable war crimes. The planet Hermium may look like a beautiful paradise but nothing is what it seems. Going back means he will have to face the demons of his past and fight to hold on to the remnants of his sanity.

The second story, "Enemy, I Know You Not", is about a military training exercise that goes horribly wrong. Losing touch with reality the men are unable to tell what is real and what is part of the program. As the exercise seems to be unraveling, fear causes them to turn on one another and to come to the conclusion that one of them has been compromised by the enemy. 

The last story, "Remnants", is about the aftermath of a plague that virtually wipes out humanity, only 1 in 50,000 survives. Alone, Peter is trying to come to grips with his new fate when he meets another survivor. While heading to an abandoned store to get supplies they encounter other survivors. In survival mode Peter is somewhat unable to adjust to the new group setting. It soon becomes apparent that this wasn't just a chance encounter. Soon he is forced to make a choice: Go south with the others or stay alone and fend for himself. 

My favorite was "Remnants". I have always loved the end of the world/mankind type of stories. I really liked this book. I don't normally read short stories because they always leave me wanting more, I guess I just get attached to the characters or the story. having read this I will definitely broaden my horizons!

Roland Allnach  worked the night shift in a hospital for 20 years. He gets inspiration for his writing from literary classics, history, and mythology. One of his short stories was nominated for the Pushcart Prize and his stories have appeared in several publications.

One of you lucky readers is going to win your own copy of Remnant! Just follow the instructions below to be entered. Here are the rules:

1. Open to US & Canada residents only.
2. Mandatory entry must be completed before extra entries will count.
3. Leave all user names pertaining to each task so that I can verify your entry.
4. Leave the correct number of comments for each task. If it says (+3 entries), leave three separate comments.
5. All comments must contain your email address so that you can be notified if you win.
6. Winner will be notified by email. Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be selected.
7. Giveaway starts 4/10/12 and ends 4/22/12 at 11:59 PM CST

Good luck to everyone!!

Mandatory Entry: Follow me publicly on GFC (+3 entries)

Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter (+2 entries)
2. Like my Facebook page (+2 entries)
3. Give me +K on Klout (+2 entries per topic) Let me know in each comment which topic
4. Sign up for a FREE account at Beesavy.com (+5 entries)
5. Friend me at nomorerack.com (+5 entries)   

* I was provided a copy of the book to read as well as financial compensation however the review is my opinion and completely unbiased.*

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Battered Earth by D. Hilleren

Battered Earth by D. Hilleren is a political / environmental thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It's full of intrigue, suspense, action, and even a little romance. Battered Earth will definitely get the wheels of conspiracy turning. It made me wonder how far will Big Oil and the powers that be in government go to keep making a profit. Would they play God in order to stay rich? From what I've seen, I think the answer is yes. Here's the excerpt from the back cover of this page turning novel:

'In the new decade, the world gathers in Stockholm for a controversial

climate forum. The stakes are high, as violent and unpredictable storms

increasingly plague the earth and sea levels encroach on coastal shorelines.

Nicole Hunter, head of the richly endowed Everson Foundation, leads the

charge to invest in promising research that will hopefully impede environmental

devastation. But her contentious stance has been questioned by others, and now

her career and her life are both in jeopardy.

 

Meanwhile, unseen forces assemble to sabotage any breakthrough that

could challenge existing global energy markets. Oliver Odin, a mysterious

international agent, is sent by the Security Alliance to investigate ominous

threats intercepted by intelligence sources. The evidence leads him to the

beautiful, strong-willed Nicole and the brainy scientists attending the forum.

But when scientists on the verge of a promising discovery are gunned down

at a reception held by a United States senator, it becomes apparent that

powerful forces will stop at nothing to prevent the world from being saved.

As a few brave souls attempt to rescue the planet from environmental

calamity, they soon realize that their mission comes with a price- and some

will pay with their lives.'

  

It's scary to think that if things don't change soon, this could possibly be a reality. Oil has already started wars, heightened power and greed, and killed many. These companies claim that they give back to the environment but what they are giving is less than what they are taking, which in the long run will certainly doom our planet. This was a very thought provoking book- I loved it!

D. Hilleren is a retired corporate executive from Nike who resides in Oregon. She now enjoys writing, painting, and taking care of her horses. I look forward to reading more from her! If what you read here sounds interesting to you, then be sure to enter the giveaway below to win a copy of Battered Earth for yourself!

Giveaway Rules:

1. Open residents of the US & Canada.
2. Mandatory entry must be completed before extra entries will count.
3. Leave all user names pertaining to the task so that I can verify your entry.
4. Leave the correct number of comments for each task- if it says +3 entries then leave 3 separate comments.
5. All comments must contain your email address so that I can contact you if you win.
6. Winner must respond by email within 48 hours to claim prize.
7. Giveaway starts 3/29/12 at 12:00 A.M. CST. and ends 4/5/12 at 11:59 P.M. CST.

Good luck to all!
Mandatory Entry: Follow me publicly on GFC. (+3 entries)
Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter (+2 entries)
2. Like my Facebook page (+2 entries)
3. Give me +K on Klout in any topic (+2 for each topic)
4. Sign up for a FREE account at BeeSavy.com (+5 entries)
5. Friend me at nomorerack.com (+5 entries)
6. Like the Battered Earth Facebook page (+2 entries)

Thanks for reading!

* I was provided a copy of the book to read as well as financial compensation however the review is my opinion and completely unbiased.*

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Super Born: Seduction of Being by Keith Kornell

So I just finished Super Born last night and let me tell you this is one sexy, awesome book! I absolutely LOVED it! I loved how the book was written too, it's written in the point of view of the two main characters kind of like a journal entry. This is from the back cover of the book:

Batman wouldn't last a day in my world, thought the B.I.B, bitterly feeling

the strain that newly manifested super powers had brought to the life of the 

33 year old "normal" single mother. Gone was her known controllable 

existence;  quietly raising her daughter and making ends meet. Gone were the

simple days of drinking , dancing, and partying with her friends. Being "real"

and being a super hero made for a unique combination. Sometimes it was a real bitch.

Yet through the dangers and the challenges more doors opened than closed. Perhaps

there was a route to a new level of being, perhaps even a new level of romance. The

ponderous weight of questions and possibilities she bore in isolation.

Alone and feeling sorry for herself on her birthday, she walked into O'Malleys Bar

for a drink and started it all...

Now this book was classified as young adult but in my opinion it shouldn't be read by anyone under 18 due to the graphic sexual content. I only say this because my 12 year old daughter often reads from this section of the bookstore (pending my approval of course) and without opening the book and scanning through it you wouldn't know. I also want to say that the content didn't bother me (I found it pretty darn sexy!) but if that isn't your cup of tea, consider this fair warning.

I really liked this book. I wish that it had gone into more detail on the Super Born's powers and how they began and how they felt about it. I think this would make a great series, I know it left me wanting more. This is Keith Kornell's third novel and I hope it's not his last!

If you like what you read here then be sure to enter the giveaway below to snag your own copy! Here are the rules:

• Open to US & Canada residents only.
• Mandatory entry must be completed first before extra entries will count.
• Leave all user names pertaining to the task so that I can verify your entry.
• Leave the correct number of comments for each task. If it says +3 entries then leave 3 separate comments.
• All comments must contain your email address so that I can let you know if you win.
• Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or I will draw another winner. Winner will be selected by a random number generator and notified by email.Giveaway starts 2/26/12 and ends 3/4/12 at 11:59 CST.

Good luck to everyone!

Mandatory Entry: Follow my blog publicly on GFC (+3 entries)

Extra Entries:

1. Follow me on Twitter (+2 entries)
2. Like my Facebook page (+2 entries)
3. Tell me your favorite author and your favorite book by them (+2 entries)
4. Give me +K on Klout (1 entry per topic)- Let me know in your comment which topic.
5. Sign up for a FREE account at Beesavy.com (+5 entries)
6. Friend me a nomorerack.com (+5 entries) 

** I was provided a copy the book as well as financial compensation for my review, however, all opinions are my own and completely unbiased.**

Easy to Apply... My Booty!

I have always loved the look of the beautiful, long, full lashes of all the famous beauties like Kim Kardashian. I know that they're not real, but they just look so sexy. I was recently at a store called Ulta, which if you don't know is a huge makeup/beauty store and if you don't have one you are sadly missing out, anyhoo I came across Katy Perry's new false lash line. I examined the box and they looked simple enough and then I remembered watching the Jersey Shore (LOVE that show- it's so stupidly hilarious) and Snooki was able to get them on drunker than than a skunk so I decided my uncoordinated self could do it. When I got to the register to pay I noticed my cashier had some on so I asked her if it was easy to do and she was like "Oh yeah!". So tonight I decided to try them out. My booty it's easy!!! I followed the directions to the T and still managed to glue my eyeball, rip out some of my real lashes and irritate my eyelid skin trying over and over again to get them right. I finally gave up until tomorrow, they are so NOT easy! It would be nice if they came with an instructional video or a beauty expert to apply them for me.

Confused & Frustrated

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a nurse. I started going to school to pursue a degree in Nursing. After completing all of the pre-requisetes for the Nursing program, I was placed on the waiting list which is as far as I got. I got bumped from the list not once, not twice, but three times because there were people waiting longer than me or that had better GPA's than me. Now I was an A/B student so my grades weren't bad. Each time I got bumped I had to take filler classes so that my student loans wouldn't go into repayment, by the third time I had run out of classes that related to my field of study or that interested me. I made the decision to drop out of the program because at the rate things were going I'd be 40 before I graduated with an RN degree. I've thought a lot about what I wanted to do instead and finally decided to go into criminal forensics. Now I'm struggling with the fear of not being able to find a job once I graduate. I live in Iowa and I just don't see a future in it around here and at the moment I can't even consider relocating. So, now I'm back to square one and don't know what to do with myself. I'm scared of going to school and being stuck doing something I hate and I'm scared of picking a field that will get me nowhere because of the lack of jobs. It's so stinkin' frustrating I want to scream. I want to set a good example for my kids and graduate from college and I want to make my mom proud because I would be the first to graduate college in my family. The career counselors at the college are essentially worthless and couldn't help me and actually made me more confused and frustrated than before I talked to them. I'm a science minded person so I know I want to do something in that category but I just don't know what. If anyone has any suggestions I would LOVE to hear them!

Awesome Weekend!

This weekend was awesome! Hubby and I got our tax refund so we decided to go out to the riverboat casino, Rhythm City, and have some fun. I put $20 in a penny slot machine and started playing. I sat there not even five minutes and won $400! I have never won that much money before it was crazy. I cashed that baby out and left! When we left we decided to go to Walmart where we finally found a TV we liked that was in stock so we bought it. When we got home and set up the new TV we started talking about going away for the weekend. We decided to go up to the Dubuque/Galena area which is where we spent our honeymoon. Grandpa Joe watched the kids and off we went!

We stayed at a really nice Holiday Inn in Dubuque. It was so nice to spend some time together alone, we so needed a break from our kids. I love them to death but their fighting is seriously driving me nuts. I got the best nights sleep, when I woke up it was so dark in the room I didn't know where I was at or what time of day it was, it was wonderful. We left with our batteries recharged and headed back to Chaos.

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life! by Judith A. Belmont, MS & Lora Shor, MSW

I have to be honest and tell you that this is the first "self-help" book I've ever read. Now my definition of the self-help genre, is anything that fits into the bettering of oneself category, whether it be spiritually, mentally, or physically. I personally feel that most of them tend to be a little too Zen hippie for me. So when I received this book for review, I was a little skeptical but open minded. This has been a tough year for Hubby and I physically, mentally, and financially so anything that offers some insight on how to deal with it, is a good thing.

I feel when you plan on following the advice and suggestions of books like these, that it's important for the people offering it be qualified and knowledgeable and both these ladies are. Judith A. Belmont, MS, is a national speaker and corporate wellness trainer with 30+ years of experience as a psychotherapist. Lora Shor, MSW, is a national health and wellness speaker, an international corporate work/life consultant to Fortune 500 companies, and a psychotherapist. She has worked with a lot of huge companies such as Wells Fargo/ Wachovia, Pfizer, and Morgan Stanley to name a few. So you can see why I was able to be open minded about the book.

The book uses Swiss Cheese as a metaphor for life. The holes, which define Swiss Cheese, represent life's imperfections, obstacles, and disappointments. The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life! helps us to accept theses "holes" and to learn and grow from them. I both enjoy and appreciate the metaphor this book uses, but I found all the cheeseisms a little cheesy. As I read through the book, I could relate to most of the examples and suggestions and found that I have a lot more negativity or stinky cheese in my life than I realized or want and will try some of the methods presented. I'll especially pay close attention to the section on procrastination and organization! I was surprised at how much I took from this book, and have changed my opinion of this genre and will be looking at more from it, after all, I'm not perfect but I'm a work in progress!

Want a copy? Then enter win your own copy of The Swiss Cheese Theory of Life! Here are the rules for the giveaway:

• Open to US & Canada residents only.
• Mandatory entry must be completed first for extra entries to count.
• Leave all user names pertaining to the task.
• Leave the correct number of comments for each task. If it says 3 entries, leave three comments.
• All entries must contain your email
• Winner must respond within 48 hours to claim prize, or another winner will be drawn. Winner will be selected by a random number generator provided by Random.org
• Giveaway starts 1/28/12 and ends at 11:59 pm CST 2/4/12.

Good luck to everyone!

Mandatory: Follow me publicly on GFC. Leave a comment with user name. (+3 entries)

• Follow me on Twitter & comment below with Twitter name. (+2 entries)
• Like my Facebook page & leave a comment. (+2 entries)
• Tell me your favorite author is and your favorite book by them. (+1 entry)
• Give me +K on Klout in any topic & leave a comment below. (+2 entries) Can +K me in more than one topic for (+2 entries) for each topic.
• Sign up for a FREE account at BeeSavy.com (+5 entries)
• Friend me at nomorerack.com (+5 entries)

* I did not receive monetary compensation for this review. I did receive a copy of the book for review purposes. All opinions are my own and unbiased.

B2B Book Review & Giveaway: Facing Demons by Ashley Sanders

'Amidst the darkness of turmoil there is hope.'

Facing Demons is the story of four broken souls who are all struggling with different personal demons in their lives. Even though the enemies mat be different, the pain and desperation they feel is very similar. Each heading down the path of self-destruction, they end up in a rehabilitation program called Another Chance at Life. It is here where surprising friendships are made and demons are battled head on. The following is quoted from the back cover:

'Blake Solomon had never before heard such heart-wrenching

stories until now. Jason gang-member, Rebecca a child prostitute,

Matthew an African refugee, and Felicity a reckless rich kid, make

up the newest group at Blake's Anchor Beach Rehabilitation Clinic.

Each have seen more than their share of tragedy and have reached

a point of desperation where all hope seems lost. Leaving behind

worlds tainted with drugs and alcohol, violence and abuse, self-harm,

and street-life is easier said than done. Unexpectedly, these four young

lives collide in extraordinary circumstances as they attempt to salvage

any glimmer of strength and self-belief they have left.

Blake's battle to save all four from paths of certain self-destruction

is the toughest he's ever faced. Is a quick fix all he has to offer before

feeding them back to the lions? Or will he keep his promise in helping

them to face their demons?'

This was a very thought provoking and intense book for me as I have struggled with my own demons. I could completely empathize with the characters, and it made me wish that I had had the help and support they were given. It makes you see that no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope. Facing Demons is Ashley Sanders first published novel and he has more in the making. He is currently working on Prequels to Facing Demons, which explores the lives of the main characters before they meet one another. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for it.

Now, I'm super excited to announce that I've got a giveaway to offer- my first giveaway ever! I have been given an extra copy of Facing Demons to giveaway to one of my readers! Here are the rules:

• Open to the US & Canada residents only.
• Mandatory entry must be completed before extra entries or all entries will be disqualified.
• Leave the correct number of comments for each task. If it says (+3 entries) leave 3 separate comments.
• All comments must contain your name, you email address, and any usernames for the task. This is for verification and so that I may notify you is you win.
• Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond to claim the prize. Winner will be selected using a random number generator provided by Random.org. If after 48 hours I have not heard from the winner a new winner will be selected using the same method.
• Giveaway starts on 1/8/12 and ends 1/15/12 at 11:59 CST.

Good Luck to All!!

Giveaway Tasks

Mandatory: Follow me publicly on GFC. (+3 entries)

Extra Entries

• Follow me on Twitter (+2 entries)
• Like my Facebook page (+2 entries)
• Tell me who your favorite author is and your favorite book by them. (+2 entries)
• Give me +K on Klout in any topic. (+2 entries)
• Sign up for a BeeSavy account for FREE using CHAOS as your referral code. (+5 entries)
• Sign up for FREE at nomorerack.com (+5 entries)

That's it, easy as pie!

* I was provided a book to review and keep as well as financial compensation. All views are strictly my opinion and unbiased.*