Shutterfly Photo Book Giveaway!!

Back in March, I did a review of Shutterfly's yearbooks. Well,  it’s a new school year filled with new memories, and a Shutterfly yearbook is the easiest way to preserve school year memories.  Here is a snippet from my review:

 Shutterfly makes it easy and affordable to create a Yearbook for your child and their school! Use their specially designed page templates with the all new Custom Path to create a unique and special memory! These award-winning books are printed in color and professionally bound. The colors look rich and vibrant!

You can read my entire review here.

You can learn more about Shutterfly and all their great products on the following social media channels (Make sure to follow them!):
            · Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shutterfly

· Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

· Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/

· Instagram: Shutterfly

· Google +: http://plus.google.com/u/0/109424185572289814510/posts

· Blog: http://blog.shutterfly.com/

THE GIVEAWAY:

 

One lucky The Loose Screw reader will win an 8x8 hardcover 20-page Photo Book plus shipping (Canada included).  That's a $38 value!! More information on the Photo Books is available at the Shutterfly website. 

 

You can earn up to 4 entries (you must leave a separate comment for each entry):

 

1. Visit Shutterfly at any of the links above. (one entry total)

2.  Like The Loose Screw on Facebook.(one entry total)

3.  Follow me via GFC, Google Plus, Linky followers, Twitter, and/or Pinterest using the links over on the right sidebar. (one entry total)

4.  Tweet, blog, or post on Facebook about this giveaway. (one entry total)

 

PLEASE make sure to leave me your email address in one of  your comments. 

This contest will end at midnight MST on Monday, September 24th.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be drawn.  Good luck!!

 

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

Book Review~A Heartbeat Away

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heartbeat Away David C. Cook (September 1, 2012) by Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.


ABOUT THE BOOK

When a brilliant surgeon undergoes a heart transplant, her life transforms as she begins experiencing memories of a murder she never witnessed.

The residents worship her. Nurses step out of her way. Her colleagues respect and sometimes even fear her. But surgeon Tori Taylor never expected to end up on this side of the operating table.

Now she has a new heart. This life that was formerly controlled and predictable is now chaotic. Dr. Taylor had famously protected herself from love or commitment, but her walls are beginning to crumble.

And strangest of all, memories surface that will take her on a journey out of the operating room and into a murder investigation.

Where there once was a heart of stone, there is a heart of flesh. And there is no going back.


If you'd like to read the first chapter excerpt of A Heartbeat Away, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS: Unfortunately, I didn't receive this book in time to get it read for the tour, but I'm looking forward to reading it.  I always enjoy medical mysteries. 

*Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

Wordless Wednesday~First Haircut!!

Winner~Combat Ant Gel!!!

The winner of the Combat Ant Gel, chosen by random.org, is...

Amber Faith!!

Congratulations!  I have emailed the winner with further instructions.  Thanks everyone who entered, and be watching for another great product giveaway next week!

Book Review~The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Bridesmaid Bethany House Publishers (September 11, 2012) by Beverly Lewis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly's first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Latest in Chart-Topping Amish Fiction from Beverly Lewis

Twenty-seven-year-old Joanna Kurtz has made several trips to the altar, but never as a bride. The single young Amishwoman is a closet writer with a longing to be published something practically unheard of in her Lancaster County community. Yet Joanna's stories aren't her only secret. She also has a beau who is courting her from afar, unbeknownst even to her sister, Cora, who, though younger, seems to have suitors to spare.

Eben Troyer is a responsible young Amishman who hopes to make Joanna Kurtz his bride--if he can ever leave his parents' farm in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yet with his only brother off in the English world, intent on a military career, Eben's hopes for building a life with his dear Joanna are dimming, and patience is wearing thin. Will Joanna ever be more than a bridesmaid?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Bridesmaid, go HERE.

My Thoughts: Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors, and in The Bridesmaid she has written another beautiful story.  Joanna Kurtz is unmarried still at 27 years old, an age when many young women have been married for several years and already have children!  She longs to be a bride, and has a secret beau living far away.  Eben longs to go to Joanna and marry her, but his responsibilities at his parent's farm keep him home.  The two secret sweethearts struggle to find a way to be together.  I definitely recommend this heartwarming book!

*Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Schoolhouse Crew Review: Speekee TV

For the past six weeks, we have been trying out Speekee TV, a Spanish immersion course for ages 2-11.  I think it's important for my kids to learn another language, and learning Spanish could definitely come in handy for their futures.  Speekee TV was created by specialist linguists and musicians, and is 100% in Spanish!  When we first logged in to Speekee, I was expecting my child to learn one word at a time.  That's not how this program works-your child is immersed in watching real Spanish children in real Spanish locations speak!  At first I thought it would be too difficult, but this program works!!

Speekee is a puppet, and I thought my nine year old would say it was too babyish for him.  Surprise-he really enjoys Speekee and the other puppets in the program!  With Speekee TV children can learn at their own pace.  There are lots of fun videos and songs, and all the repetition helps them remember the words. There are English or Spanish subtitles, which also helps improve reading skills. Here is what you will get if you subscribe to Speekee:

*10 episodes of Spanish
*Over 150 minutes of pure Spanish learning
*Learn Spanish from real Spanish children in real Spanish locations
*Features songs, animation and puppets
*Optional subtitles in Spanish and English
*Free activity sheet downloads
*Great fun and extremely effective
*Created by specialist language teachers
*Free optional curriculum
*Songs you can't stop singing

That last sentence-'songs you can't stop singing' is so true!  Both Chad and I always end up singing and humming the cute songs long after we've watched a video.  We used Fasttrack, which is a 40-week plan with each week's learning all laid out for you.  I received an email each week, with links to the videos to watch, and corresponding activities, flashcards, and worksheets.  Fasttrack is a great program that comes free with your subscription. 

You can try Speekee TV out for two weeks free!  A subscription to Speekee TV is only $7.50 per month or $60 per year, and you can cancel any time.  Speekee is also available on DVD. 

I recommend this program-Chad has enjoyed it and has learned many Spanish words and phrases.  To read more reviews of Speekee TV, click the banner below:

 

*Disclaimer: I received a free subscription to this product in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.