Disclosure: This post contains my affiliate links; if you  make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Opinions shared are mine.

Houseplants cower in fear when I come near, but somehow I am able to keep vegetable plants alive.  Maybe it’s because Mother Nature helps me out with rain.  Gardening is my favorite summertime activity.  Seeing my husband enjoy a tomato sandwich made from homegrown ‘maters warms my heart.  My kids love zucchini when it’s baked into sweet bread.  Our garden always produces more than we can eat, so we love to share the bounty with neighbors and friends.  Like I said, I’m not a natural green thumb.  So, my secret is this: Container gardening.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Opinions shared are mine.

Romantic books are fine with me, as long as there’s a decent plot that carries the story beyond the romance.  The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry had such an interesting backstory, with just enough romance on the back burner, that I couldn’t put it down!   [Read more…]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I am a Beauty Box 5 blogger and received a complimentary box. Opinions shared are mine.

Last week, I had the flu.  My immune system’s downhill ride actually started the week before.  When all I wanted to do was sit around and read How to Hang a Witch, no one thought anything of it.  All I ever want to do is sit around and read.  Finishing the book in two days was no big surprise.  I should have known there was something wrong when I didn’t immediately get on here and post about it, though!   So here’s the review….couple of weeks late but don’t hold it against me!  Books and beauty products are sometimes the best medicine, don’t you think?

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.  Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

People always say you can still get the flu even if you got the shot. Some people say that they get the flu worse if they get the shot. I can’t attest to the second opinion, but the first is true.  I always get the shot…..and this year, I still got the flu.  UGH.  Thankfully, there were some books waiting on the shelf for me.  Since I can barely lift my head for more than a couple of minutes at a time, reading a book is pretty much my only open-eyed activity right now.  Then I remembered that this post was due and awwww…….it’s like getting a feel-better card in the mail. It’s official….sometimes books are better than cards.   I’m so lucky to share I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug! with you. [Read more…]

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Zazzle. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine and the giveaway is self-sponsored.

Have you heard? Zazzle valentines are the happiest! At the Savings in Seconds house, Valentine’s Day will be a hit with these cute gifts.
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Disclosure: I received this book as a BookLook Blogger. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Stories with down-home appeal don’t often come my way, but The Angel’s Share was a great find.  Recently published by James Markert, this novel is based in my home state of Kentucky.  Now, I’m not a bourbon drinker, but I still recognize the importance of distilleries to the Bluegrass economy.  The richness of this literary drink was a surprise!

In this story, remnants of the Prohibition follow the sleepy town of Twisted Tree like a bad dream.  Though the McFee family seemed to fare better than most, it was only a financial facade.  They had their share of devastating loss times two.  Although it took a while to really get into the mystery portion of the plot, it was worth the wait.   The Angel’s Share wasn’t the type of book I could skim.  My tendency to breeze through a book stopped in its tracks because I just had to savor the chapters.  So many characters took shape that it was sometimes hard to keep up!

There was an otherworldly feel that I didn’t expect, and I enjoyed the sweet children who helped bring some levity to an otherwise heavy book.  My only issue was that so many events seemed to be unrelated, or that their connection was stretched, until I almost forgot about them.  In some ways, I wish this had been a series with each book devoted to a certain “chapter” in William’s life, or maybe focusing on one of his family members instead.

In passing, one of Markert’s other book topics is mentioned in The Angel’s Share. I’m interested in learning more about A White Wind Blew, a story about a doctor who uses music to help patients in a 1929 tuberculosis sanatorium.
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Disclosure: I’ll be receiving this book; opinions shared are mine.

A few weeks ago, I struggled with the memory of E vs. A — as in, Berenstein vs. Berenstain.  If you’re familiar with the Mandela effect, you know what I’m talking about!  The bigger picture, though, forces me to acknowledge that the Bears in question simply portrayed human situations in the comfort of Mama Bear’s world.  Now that I’m a Mama Bear myself, it’s important to find ways to help my cubs build a positive belief system.  Recently, I was invited to share the Inspiration Nursery Rhymes including the newest title Max Gives Thanks to God.

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Disclosure: I am a BookLook Blogger and chose this book to review. Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Public Service Announcement: 
If you read A Harvest of Thorns, plan to devote several days to your reading displeasure.

That’s right.  You’re going to be made uncomfortable by this book.  Why?  You’ll be absorbed in the web of deceit and, yes, consumer guilt.  The book itself is so engrossing that you won’t be able to take your eyes off it!  The story line is complex and compelling.   It was a rather tedious read at times, only because I’m used to more shallow stories.  Harvest of Thorns is deep, real, and more than a little scary because it hits close to home.  You’ll be reminded of Erin Brockovich and Flint, Michigan when you read about the Davids who attacked Goliath in this book. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I am a Bethany House blogger and received this book from the publisher.  Post contains affiliate links; opinions shared are mine.

Sometimes the truth can threaten to topple us!  In the novel An Elegant Facade, Georgina lived that threat every day. [Read more…]