Book Reviews, Gifts/Purchases

Book Review! “Brides of Alaska” by Tracie Peterson

Goodread’s Synopsis:

My Review:

I received this book from my Mom for Christmas and I was super excited to read it! I have a soft spot in my heart for books with 3 novellas! I dove right in and immediately fell in love with the characters. I found myself reading this book on my lunch at work and basically anytime that I could find a spot to read, you would find me reading this book. You find out that Julie, August and Rita are all related which is awesome considering that the first novella starts off 40 years earlier. I really liked seeing how the roads evolved and how things were much different in Alaska in the first novella from the last. This book is a very easy read and you will fall in love with all of the characters!

I chose to review this book on my own and these are my own opinions. I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars!

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Book Reviews, BookLook

~Book Review~ “Kissed by a Cowboy” by Debra Clopton

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart. Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single. Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

My Review:

This book is so good! I just finished it and decided to go ahead and write my review.

Cassidy Starr is a stubborn red head who doesn’t want to relive her past. Jarrod Monahan is a handsome cowboy who lives next door. Jarrod kissed Cassidy a long time ago and then ran and Cassidy just got through a divorce. These 2 characters were great staples in this wonderful romance novel by Debra Clopton.

What drew me to this book was the cover. A few horses and a handsome cowboy kissing a girl made me want to read this book and I mean, who wouldn’t with a title like “Kissing a Cowboy”! I have always liked books that have to do with Cowboys and horses and this one was no different. While I was reading, it was like I was taken to a different world. I love when a book can take me out of my current situation and transport me to someone else’s story. I want to feel as though it is a movie in my head. This book did that from the first page. I felt as though I could see every laugh, cry, heartache, and lovely moment that happened throughout this book. The story between Jarrod and Cassidy made me root for them as much as if I knew this couple. There were a few twists in the story which made it more fun to read.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I received this book in exchange for my honest review form Booklook Bloggers.

*image courtesy of Booklook Bloggers*

Purex Insiders, Reviews

~Product Review~ Dial Miracle Oil Body Wash

  

This body wash is pretty good. At first I thought it stunk, but the more I use it the better it smells. It is a smell that grows on you just like a song that at first you don’t like to listen to. It lathers very well and also doubles as a great shaving gel. I always use body wash for shaving and not all body washes work very well but this one was great!

Overall, I give this product a 4.5 stars out of 5. I received this product in exchange for my honest review from Purex Insiders.

Book Reviews, Revell Reads

~Book Review~Dare to Love Again by Julie Lessman

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Goodreads Synopsis:
She’s a sassy socialite burned by love. He’s a jaded cop burned by the upper class. When sparks fly…will love catch fire again?

Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman. But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast, she quickly discovers she’s no match for the unsavory characters that haunt the dark streets.

Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite self-defense, but it seems he has little choice. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But is he just a fraud like all the rest of the men Allison’s cared for? Or is he the one who will let her dare to love again?

My Review:
So I LOVED this book! The wittiness and sassiness of this book just captured me! Alison McClare made me laugh from the beginning and Nick Barone, with a long e, was just breathtaking! I could have fallen in love with him too if he was always around! I am wanting to read more of this series about the McClares because they are a great family and Julie Lessman makes you feel like you are right there with the characters! I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Revell Reads.

Takeout Tuesday

~Takeout Tuesday with Mz Jen ~ 4/3/13 – 4/16/13

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Magazines:

Latina, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Natural Health, Good Housekeeping, 2 Bloomberg Business Week, 2 US Weekly, Ladies Home Journal, 2 Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Seventeen, and ESPN

Books to review:

In Broken Places by Michèle Phoenix from Tyndale

Swept Away by Mary Connealy from Bethany House

Samples/Coupons:

~The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad from Disney Movie Rewards
~Fiber One Protein Bar
~Sample of Apricot Cuticle Oil from inside of a magazine
~Dove body wash from Target
~2 Gevalia K-Cups and a $1.50 coupon
~Sample of Pedia Lax gummies
~2 Nexcare band aids and a coupon
~Coupon for a free Skinny Cow box of Candy
~2 Nescafé Memento samples and a coupon
~Full bottle of Excedrin extra strength from a Facebook giveaway
~Detour protein bar from Swaggable
~Coupon for a free sample of Valspar paint
~Organize in Style coupon booklet
~2 coupons for Covergirl found in a magazine
~Coupon for Coldwater Creek found in a magazine
~4 samples of Enfamil infant formula and 2 $5 checks for formula
~2 samples of Level life glucose gel and2 $2 off coupons
~$17 off $50 Aeropostale coupon
~2 20% off coupons for Gordmans
~Coupon for a free Campbell’s Slow kettle style soup
~$1.50 coupon off Charmin fresh mates
~$1 coupon off Charmin Ultra Soft or Strong toilet paper
~$2 coupon off Charmin Sensitive toilet paper
~Child cabinet safety locks from P&G

Shopping Trips, Walmart

How I saved about 68% of my grocery bill at Walmart! :)

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I decided to go to Walmart Wednesday night after I got off work. It was after 815 and I was tired after working a 14 hour shift. Everything I have to say went pretty smoothly! The cashier that checked me out was awesome! She actually knew what she was doing and she was also training someone else! I also had 3 transactions which can make it hectic. I want to say thank you to anybody who has ever been the cashier when a couponer comes through! We might not say it enough, but when someone does something right we need to appreciate them!

Transaction 1:

4 7.5 oz Soft Soap hand soap $3.92 used 4 $1/1 coupons ($.08 moneymaker)

Total: $3.92 – $4.00 (coupons) – $.39 (associate discount) + $.32 (tax) = $.15 moneymaker!!

Transaction #2:

4 7.5 oz Soft Soap handsoap $3.23 used 4 $1/1 coupons ($.77 moneymaker)

3 of these must have been on clearance because they rang up at $.75 and not $.98!

1 Healthy Choice Steamer $2.74 used 1 $1/1 coupon and a $.75 ibotta offer ($.99)

1 Healthy Choice frozen greek yogurt $2.98 used 1 $1/1 coupon and a $.75 ibotta offer ($1.23)

1 Ore Ida easy fries $.98 used $1.00 ibotta offer (free)

Total: $9.93 – $6.00 (coupons) – $.10 (associate discount) + $.58 (tax) = $2.50 (ibotta) = $1.91

Transaction #3:

4 7.5 oz Soft Soap hand soap $3.92 used 4 $1/1 coupons ($.08 mm)

2 Benadryl topical insect cream $2.38 used 2 $2/1 coupons ($.76)

12 Yoplait light yogurt $7.09 used 2 $.40/6 coupons and endorse $.52 ($5.76)

1 Healthy Choice frozen greek yogurt $2.98 used 1 $1/1 coupon and $.75 ibotta offer ($1.23)

1 Healthy Choice steamer $2.74 used 1 $1/1 coupon and $.75 ibotta offer ($.99)

1 Banquet Chicken Nuggets $3.97 used 1 .75/1 coupon (3.22)

1 Tyson Chicken Nuggets $4.97 used 1 .75/1 coupon ($4.22)

1 Minute Maid apple juice (10 ct) $2.97 used 1 $1/1 coupon ($1.97)

1 Lysol disinfectant spray $3.98 used buy one get wipes free ($1.99)

1 Lysol dual action wipes $2.48 used buy one get wipes free ($1.99)

3 Poise feminine products $8.91 used 3 $3/1 coupons ($.09 mm)

1 Claritin Non Drowsy 30 ct $17.48 used 1 $7/1 coupon ($10.48)

1 Crystal Light Pink Lemonade $2.68 used $1.00 ibotta offer ($1.68)

1 Campbells go soup $2.48 used 1 $2.00 coupon ($2.48)

1 Smucker’s squeeze grape jelly $1.98 used 1 $.75/1 coupon and $1.00 ibotta offer ($.23)

1 Skinny Cow Chocolate Box $3.48 used free coupon (FREE)

1 Ore Ida Easy Fries $.98 used $1.00 ibotta offer (FREE)

1 Campbells Kettle Soup $3.48 used free coupon (FREE)

1 Kraft Homestyle Mac n Cheese $2.00 used $.75 ibotta offer ($1.25)

1 Mountain Dew Kick Start $.98 used 1 $1/1 coupon ($.02 mm)

1 Old Orchard Frozen Apple Juice $1.48 used free coupon (FREE)

1 Capri Sun 10 Ct. $1.98 used 1 $.30/1 coupon and $1.00 ibotta offer ($.68)

1 Koolaid Bursts $1.00 used $1.00 ibotta offer (FREE)

Total: $89.12 – $43.78 (coupons) – $5.70 (associate discount) + $5.45 (tax) – $.52 (endorse) – $7.25 (ibotta) = $37.32

I also earned an extra $1 on ibotta from using more than 8 of the offers!

Total Spent: $38.09 and 66.88% savings!

I used a total of $115 as how much everything would have cost because there were many items that were on rollback!

I also have to send off a mail in rebate for the Lysol Dual Action Wipes for 2.48 so I might get my total down to $35.61 for a total of 69.13% savings!

Takeout Tuesday

Takeout Tuesday with Mz Jen! 3/27/13 – 4/2/13

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It is time for another Takeout Tuesday with Mz Jen! As you can see in the picture, I didn’t have as great a week, but still some great freebies!

From left to right:

– Coupons from all the mags I received this week including coupons for Crazy 8 and Gymboree
– $15 off $15 or more coupon from Lane Bryant
– Free trial size item and 20% off purchase from Bath & Body Works
– Wired magazine
– Bloomberg Business Week magazine
– Shape magazine
– US Weekly magazine
– Family Fun magazine
– Prevention magazine
– Free Belvita coupon
– Full size Olay Regenerist product
– Coupon for Covergirl product
– Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor from Costco
– 2 $5 checks from Enfamil

See ya next week!

~Mz Jen~

Book Reviews

“All in Good Time” by Maureen Lang

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Dessa Caldwell longs to follow in Sophie Pierson’s footsteps and open a house for girls who want to get away from prostitution and the horrible life that comes with it. She wants to keep her secret that she has kept hidden away from everyone including the one that she could love. Henry Hawkins has a secret that could ruin his business and the relationship he has with Dessa. This story is a book about 2 people who both have a secret that they do not want shared with the world. They do not want their past to interfere with their future.

This book was so good! I was hooked in the first few pages. I love romances which really made me want to read this, but I was hoping it was not a typical romance and it definitely was not a typical romance. There were so many twists and turns that it kept me on my toes. I definitely would like to read more books by Maureen Lang because of how this book captivated me.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review from Tyndale House Publishers.

Uncategorized

Tuesday Takeout! (Of the mailbox!) 3/21/13 – 3/26/13

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I am starting a new series called Tuesday Takeout! There will be at least one post on Tuesdays having to deal with me taking my mail out of the mailbox. I know, it is corny, but I have to be original and I have never seen anybody call it this!

This week is from Thursday 3/21/13 – 3/26/13. I have received lots of freebies in the last few days and they are mostly magazines, but hey they’re free!

Here is what I received:

-Yachting Magazine -Electronic Home Magazine
-Ebony Magazine -Bloomberg Business Week Magazine
-Wired Magazine -ESPN Magazine
-US Weekly Magazine -Better Homes and Garden Magazine
-All You Magazine (was not free but only paid $2 for a full year)

-Full size sample of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
-Sample of Fiber One protein bar: caramel nut
-Coupons from Always for radiant and panty liners (from their fb page)
-Victorias Secret free panty, $10 off a bra, and free umbrella with a $65 purchase
-Address labels from the American Diabetes Association
-Perfume sample from Kate Spade

I would say that it has been a pretty good week for freebies! Stay tuned for next weeks post!