Clean in 14 Detox by Melissa Costello (Book Review)

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

P90X creator Tony Horton, the Old Spice Man, and hundreds of others lost weight, boosted their immunity,and increased their energy levels—undeniable proof thatThe Clean in 14 Detox really works!

Millions of people are embracing cleansing because it rids the body of accumulated slow poisons that cause a sluggish metabolism, inflammatory and digestive issues, a host of chronic diseases, and unwanted weight gain.

The Clean in 14 Detox is a whole foods, vegan- and juice-based cleanse that not only flushes the body of toxins, but frees the mind of negative patterns, allowing the entire system to reset itself to a place of balance.

From leading successful group and private cleanses,Melissa Costello pulls no punches: She explains that the key to kick-starting health is to eliminate the CRAP (Caffeine, Refined Sugars, Alcohol, Processed Food) and the SAP (Sabotaging Addictive Patterns). Costello encourages readers to make the commitment, teaches them how to prep their minds and kitchens, and shares practical tips to succeed through the program with minimal withdrawals or cravings. The best part of this cleanse is that it’s user friendly and the participant will never feel deprived, unlike most other cleanses out there. A wide variety of delicious, unprocessed foods are allowed and there are no diet pills or chalky shakes. The Clean in 14 Detox features 14 days of mix-and-match meal plans and more than 75 irresistibly fresh and simple recipes, including Baja-style fajitas,chopped salad with creamy pepita dressing, coconut yam soup, oven-baked sweet potato fries, and more.

My thoughts-

I have Melissa Costello's cookbook Karma Chow in my pantry and it is definitely my go-to cookbook for vegan fare. I like to eat predominately vegetarian, but the rest of my family are meat eaters and still they will eat most things that I make from Karma Chow. I knew that I would have to check out the Clean in 14 Detox because I knew already that Costello has some home run recipes and if trainers like Tony Horton get in shape on her meal plans, then it is definitely worth a shot. There are great recipes in Clean in 14, but I knew that would be the case before I opened the book. What really set apart this book from other weight loss and detox books is that it is an overall approach to getting healthy. One of the things included in this book that I really liked is a journaling aspect. There have been countless books telling us to journal what we eat, but this book tells us to journal about how we feel. There are morning and evening journaling exercises to complete that allow you to let go of some emotions you might otherwise be holding on to and the act of writing them down is helpful in allowing thoughts to tumble out of your head and onto paper. That simple act is quite helpful for mental health. Another aspect of this book that helps with mental health is doing a bit of meditation. You can eat healthy and exercise, but if your too stressed out, you may still be holding yourself back. There are recipes included to guide you through the 14 days. Melissa Costello provides all of the tools necessary to complete this detox and begin your rode to a better you. Even if you are not into eating vegan, these recipes will be doable. It is only two weeks, give it a try and see how you feel. You might find that you actually want to eat less meat after seeing how good it will make you feel giving it up for a short amount of time. I recommend this book to anyone looking to jump start good, healthy habits. 

About the author-

Melissa Costello (Santa Barabara, CA) is the founder of Karma Chow and the personal chef to celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of the highly popular fitness system, P90X®. A certified nutritionist and wellness coach, Costello is constantly finding creative ways to keep Tony and her many other clients happy, fit, and healthy through a whole foods, plant-based way of life. She works one-on-one with clients and leadsfood-based cleanses with large groups, teaching how to implement changes that will yield a lifetime of great health.

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Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble Blog Tour & Book Review + Enter to Win a Kindle Fire HDX

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse Group in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Elin Summerall was one of the lucky ones. Not only did she get a heart transplant, but the donor was a perfect fit. A miraculously perfect fit. But when Elin begins having violent flashbacks---and vivid dreams of being strangled---she realizes that she has been the recipient of more than just a new heart . . . Elin is remembering her donor's murder. Her strange affliction has attracted some unwanted attention: from the press, from the authorities . . . and from the killer himself. Now, living alone with her young daughter and aging mother, Elin is being stalked---by a man she's only met in her nightmares. The police are dubious of her story, but one off-duty FBI agent is eager to help her: Agent Marc Everton, the father of Elin's daughter. Of course, he doesn't know about that. Yet. Now, in a remote cottage on Hope Island, Elin and Marc must probe the secrets buried in her borrowed heart. And there's no time to waste. One man is desperate to silence her---before she remembers too much.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xAP8O

My thoughts-

I really enjoyed "Seagrass Pier". To me, the best sort of books are the ones that keep you turning pages and keep you on your toes with where the plot is going to go. I definitely did not see certain twists coming and I liked the unique storyline of Elin's new heart giving her visions and thoughts about the person who murdered the person who gave it to her. It is interesting to think about how receiving someone else's organs might affect someone, that is something I had never really thought of before. I could tell right away that there would be an interesting tension between Elin and Marc and I was curious to see if that would go anywhere as well. Colleen Coble has done a great job here of keeping this reader engaged in this characters that jump off of the pages and come to life in my head. If the interesting dynamic between Marc and Elin couldn't have held my attention, trying to figure out who is harassing Elin most certainly would have. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys 

About the author-

Colleen Coble has sold over 2 million novels worldwide.Seagrass Pier, the third installment in her acclaimed Hope Beach series, marks a new highpoint for emotion and complexity in Coble's addictive brand of romantic suspense.

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Don’t miss Colleen Coble‘s latest release in the Hope Beach series, Seagrass Pier. The book releases July 1st, and Colleen's publisher is offering the ebook at a special pre-order price of just $4.99 between now and 6/30 everywhere ebooks are sold.

PLUS . . . between 6/9 – 6/30 Colleen will be hosting a Kindle giveaway.

One winner will receive:

• A brand new Kindle Fire HDX
• Seagrass Pier and the rest of the Hope Beach series by Colleen Coble

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 30th. Winner will be announced on Colleen's blog on July 1st.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning and be sure to stop by Colleen's blog on July 1st to see if you won!

The Girl Who Came Home (Book Review)

On the first Thursday of every month, I meet with some wonderful people who I really love hanging out with to discuss whatever book we have picked to read for the month at our previous book club meeting. The way we chose is everyone chooses one book they would like to read, we through them in a hat and pick out a winner. This month the book I threw in the proverbial hat was chosen- The Girl Who Came Home. I love to read in any genre, but I have a special place for my heart for historical fiction rooted in actual events that have occurred. Thinking about a book's characters and how the people who actually went through the events being portrayed is fascinating and heartbreaking all at the same time!

About the book-

Inspired by true events surrounding a group of Irish emigrants who sailed on the maiden voyage of R.M.S Titanic, The Girl Who Came Home is a story of enduring love and forgiveness, spanning seventy years. It is also the story of the world’s most famous ship, whose tragic legacy continues to captivate our hearts and imaginations one hundred years after she sank to the bottom of the Atlantic ocean with such a devastating loss of life. 

In a rural Irish village in April 1912, seventeen-year-old Maggie Murphy is anxious about the trip to America. While the thirteen others she will travel with from her Parish anticipate a life of prosperity and opportunity - including her strict Aunt Kathleen who will be her chaperon for the journey - Maggie is distraught to be leaving Séamus, the man she loves with all her heart. As the carts rumble out of the village, she clutches a packet of love letters in her coat pocket and hopes that Séamus will be able to join her in America soon. 

In Southampton, England, Harry Walsh boards Titanic as a Third Class Steward, excited to be working on this magnificent ship. After the final embarkation stop in Ireland, Titanic steams across the Atlantic Ocean. Harry befriends Maggie and her friends from the Irish group; their spirits are high and life on board is much grander than any of them could have ever imagined. Being friendly with Harold Bride, one of the Marconi radio operators, Harry offers to help Maggie send a telegram home to Séamus. But on the evening of April 14th, when Titanic hits an iceberg, Maggie’s message is only partly transmitted, leaving Séamus confused by what he reads. 

As the full scale of the disaster unfolds, luck and love will decide the fate of the Irish emigrants and those whose lives they have touched on board the ship. In unimaginable circumstances, Maggie survives, arriving three days later in New York on the rescue ship Carpathia. She has only the nightdress she is wearing, a small case and a borrowed coat, to her name. She doesn’t speak of Titanic again for seventy years.

In Chicago, 1982, twenty-one year old Grace Butler is stunned to learn that her Great Nana Maggie sailed on Titanic and sets out to write Maggie's story as a way to resurrect her journalism career. When it is published, Grace receives a surprising phone call, starting a chain of events which will reveal the whereabouts of Maggie’s missing love letters and the fate of those she sailed with seventy years ago. But it isn't until a final journey back to Ireland that the full extent of Titanic’s secrets are revealed and Maggie is able to finally make peace with her past.

My thoughts- 

This novel is basically Maggie telling her granddaughter Grace about her experience on the Titanic through her journals, but it is about more than just Maggie. It is about several people from one Parish in Ireland and what they thought would be their journey to a new life. You want to root for them all to survive, but knowing from history that not many survived the ship sinking, you know that at least some people you have grown to care for are not going to make it to the end. The characters are all very well developed. I quickly fell in love with scampy Henry and knew somehow that he would play a central roll in rescue efforts. Of course, being in love with being in love, I wanted to know what happened between Maggie and Seamus. If in the end they were able to find each other again. I also wanted to know if Grace would have a happy ending with her man after suffering such heartache and kind of a pause in her own life. I thought the parallel story of grandmother and granddaughter was nice. I really enjoyed The Girl Who Came Home. When I got to the end and read the afterward, I learned that the group of Irish people that Maggie set sail with were based on a real group of people and for me, that makes the story even more interesting. I also love when I read novels that include discussion questions at the end as this one did! It helps get the conversation going at book club meetings and even if the book I am reading is not one I am going to discuss, it allows me to ponder further on what I have just read when I am not ready to be done with the story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, romance or anyone who is interested in the Titanic 

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Get this NY Times best seller on Amazon.com right now for just $1.99! Can't really be that low price!!

Escape Monthly Heads to India for July!

*Disclosure of material connection- I will receive a discount on my Escape Monthly subscription in exchange for sharing my thoughts on this service with you. All opinions are 100% my own. 

I can never say enough how big a fan I am of subscription box services. I have tried many of them in pretty much every category imaginable- food, eco-friendly products, nail polish, beauty products, ect. When I first found out about Escape Monthly, I was super excited because I absolutely love to travel, but rarely get the chance since my husband and I had kids. One of the main things we like to do when we travel is check out local businesses. There is just something about immersing yourself in the local culture of a new place. Since I can't always go everywhere I like, Escape Monthly is the perfect subscription box for me. They pick a new location each month and curate products from that area for the box and send it right to your doorstep. Perhaps the coolest thing about this subscription box is that each month one lucky person wins a trip to wherever the escape is. I have not been that lucky winner just yet, but I will continue to cross my fingers and who knows? Maybe someday it will be me (or you!)

Your escape in a box will include several products from wherever the escape is. There will be a brochure that tells you about each item and what the retail value of each thing is, in case you are keeping score and want to know how it all adds up. The regular box contains a travel guide, but now Escape Monthly is offering a mini box for people who aren't keen on the vacation guides. It is a smaller version of the regular box, but does not include the travel book and will have a few less products than the regular box. I prefer the big box because I like the travel books. Last month's escape was to Las Vegas. It was full of great Vegas related items. My husband and I loved everything included in the box. Some of the past escapes include Napa Valley, Oregon, Colorado, Mexico and Ireland. 

The upcoming escape for July is one I am super SUPER excited about- India! I am hoping for some great spices and maybe some body care. I also hope for something locally made that I wouldn't expect. I definitely would love anything food related because Indian food is my absolute favorite kind of international cuisine. This is a great time to jump on the Escape Monthly bandwagon. Head over to the Escape Monthly home page and enter your email for 20% of your subscription for life! If you are a first time subscriber you will also receive a bonus gift of Juice Beauty Hand Cream! If you want to pamper yourself, this is the box for you!

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas Review

*Disclosure of material connection- My family and I were provided complimentary tickets in exchange for honest review. Regardless, all opinions stated are 100% my own.

One of my favorite places to go growing up in the DFW area was the Grapevine Mills mall. There are tons of cool stores, a nice movie theater and plenty of places to eat. After I had kids of my own, Grapevine Mills expanded to include two of the coolest places in the area- The Sea Life Aquarium and The LEGOLAND Discovery Center. We have taken our kids to LEGOLAND several times prior to our most recent visit and they always have a great time. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the perfect size with age appropriate things to do for my 6 year old and my 4 year old twins. It isn't a huge place, but there is plenty to do to keep them occupied for hours of fun.

When you first arrive, you wait for a little play at the entry of the park. This terrifies my 4 year old boys. One of them could not even come in the room, so he and my husband entered through the exit. It really isn't scary, there is just a lot going on and the actor playing the scientist is a bit loud. My 6 year old daughter absolutely loves the part before you enter the park, it is cute, interactive and a lot of fun for older kids. The boys were fine once we got in the park. All 3 of my kids made a bee-line for the big padded playground that they can climb in and at the bottom there are big legos to play with. We forgot that they needed to wear socks, but you can buy some there for $1 a pair if you forget too, that was a lifesaver for us, our kids would have been bummed if they couldn't play in the playground, that is their favorite part!

After they played in the playground, they were ready to go explore more. There are some really great displays set up around the center. One that my husband really enjoyed was a room full of Star Wars buildings and characters. Some of these were interactive so the kids had fun playing with the different things they could move around. My favorite display at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the Dallas-cetric one. There is an awesome replica of downtown and very detailed LEGO replicas of several landmark places in DFW such as the stadiums that both the Rangers and the Cowboys play in. The kids also loved looking at these LEGO creations, but were ready to move on after they had seen everything in these two rooms.

I think that my kids' absolute favorite thing to do was the bumper cars. They had a lot of fun pretending to be police officers and feeling like they were big getting to maneuver cars on their own!

Besides the cool LEGO creations and the big playground, there is a smaller playground made just for kids under 40 inches. My boys are right on the mark so they played in that playground too (you have to be 40 inches or taller to play in the big playground so they are at the perfect age to go to this facility and play right now!!) There are also a few 3D/4D movies to watch, but since my little guys are scared of loud things, we skipped those this go 'round. I have watched them with my daughter before and they are a lot of fun! There are also a couple of fun rides, a princess palace with girly LEGOS and karaoke stage (right next to the toddler playground) and a place to build your own LEGO cars to race each other. 

We had a great time and I am sure we will be headed back soon!

Everything Is Awesome Blog App + LEGO Movie Blu -Ray Giveaway

Disclosure of material connection- This blog post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Just a few short days ago on June 17, The Lego Movie was released on Blu-Ray and DVD. I saw it with my family when it first came out in theaters (it was the first movie in a theater that my 4 year old twin boys have ever set through!)

 the LEGO Movie, is the first-ever full length feature from LEGO®. Starring Chris Pratt (Moneyball) as the voice of Emmet and Will Ferrell (The Campaign) as the voice of his primary adversary, President Business, the cast is rounded out well with Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar baby) and Vitruvious, Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Emmy nominee for 30 Rock) as Lucy, Will Arnett (Emmy Nominee, 30 Rock) as Batman, Liam Neeson (Taken) as Bad Cop, Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) as a pirate obsessed with revenge and Alison Brie (Community) as a sweet, lovable member of the team with a powerful secret. As you can see, there is quite an all star cast for quite a loveable movie!

The LEGO Movie is entertaining for both children and adults. Our whole family enjoyed it and we have already watched it several times since we bought it on DVD!

To celebrate the movie's release, I am giving away a copy of the Blu-Ray. Enter Below via the Rafflecopter for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Check out the Everything is Awesome app below! Create your own GIF as you listen to the super catchy song "Everything is Awesome" or view clips from the movie!

Happy to be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs Blog Tour + Book Review

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book: 

Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom and her that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building.

Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlD3V

My thoughts-

There are some books you pick up that you just don't put down until you finish reading them. For me, this was one of those books. Happy to be Alive, Because arrived on my doorstep just days before I was going to take a road trip with my 3 kids and my husband and I knew it would be the perfect book to keep me company on our journey. While I am blessed to still have my mother, I did lose my grandmother while I was still in high school and I know how Earth shattering and all-consuming losing one of the closest relationships you have abruptly at a time when things can already be so difficult is, so I could relate to Avery in some ways. I loved every page turning minute of the book. The moment that Chelsea goes to the town her mom is from and meets her new friends and a new love, I was hooked. I love the interactions between the group of friends and getting to know each of them. This is the type of book that by the end, you are sad to be leaving these people you just got to know because you want to get to know them even more, but the greatest part of this book was the journal she discovered from her mother. The journal entries really tied together the whole story. Finally, the quaint beach town that Happy to be Alive, Because was set in cements this for me as a to-read book for this summer. If you are a fan of books like Cecilia Ahern's P.S. I Love you, you will love Happy to be Alive, Because. 

About the author: 

Chelsea grew up with an immense love for words---both reading them and writing them. She obtained her degree in English and has spent the time since then getting married to her high school sweetheart and chasing adventure so she'll have something to write about. When she's not drinking copious amounts of coffee while writing, she spends her time reading, playing with her puppy named Gatsby, and dreaming, always dreaming.

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered Original Series On Hallmark Channel

Disclosure of material connection- I was provided a sneak peek at episode 8 of Signed, Sealed, Delivered  via FlyBy Promotions in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 


About the series (from the show's website)-

The new original series "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" is a wonderful combination of romance, comedy and drama that follows the lives of four postal detectives who transform themselves into a team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office and into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow always on time. The team includes charming Oliver O’Toole (Eric Mabius), a genius postal detective and the group’s leader; new team member, Shane McInerney (Kristin Booth), a technophile who brings 21st century sensibility to the group; free-spirited, “girl next door” Rita Haywith (Crystal Lowe) who has a photographic memory; and lovable Norman Dorman (Geoff Gustafson), a master in conventional research methods.

My thoughts-

I was so excited at the opportunity to get to view the latest episode of Signed, Sealed, Delivered. I have heard such great things about this show, that I wanted to see what it was all about. I do want to go back and watch all of the previous episodes, but I felt like this is the type of show you could catch an show you can catch and episode of and not have to had to seen all of the episodes that came before it. Still, catching this episode toward the end of the season makes me want to go back and learn more about these characters I have just met. I want to know more about their personalities and nuances and to me that is a sign of good writing.

Getting into the episode, set to air tomorrow night, the postal detectives come across a letter that has been lost for ten years, written by a woman on her death bed with some pretty heavy information for her husband. There are a couple of flashback scenes that, along with her letter, explain some pretty tough circumstances to her husband. One of the flashbacks is heartbreaking, especially given the information in the letter. There is a tough subject matter at the heart of this episode, but it is handled very well. It is portrayed in a way that is not too graphic and that could open up the line of communication with your kids about this topic if you are watching this show as a family. I thought that the story flowed nicely and that the actor's all did a great job portraying their roles and acting off of each other. I really liked that Signed, Sealed, Delivered is the kind of show that is full of suspense suspense, mixed with a touch of romance and that is also a feel good kind of thing to watch. 
Watch a preview for tomorrow night's episode below-



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Number One Nutrition Advanced Probiotic Review

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

For months now, I have been meaning to try a probiotic to help with regularity and digestion. Getting a little real now, I had my gallbladder removed around 4 years ago and have had troubles with these things since then. I did try a different brand of probiotic a few years back that really didn't do anything for me, so that is probably why I was reluctant to try a different one. Still, I am always open at trying a product that will help me be healthier and feel better so I was all over trying Number One Nutrition's Advanced Probiotic.  From the very first day that I began using it, I noticed a difference in both of the areas I was looking to improve and two weeks later, I still find that this product is really helping my body with digestion. I have been trying to lose weight for a long time with really not as much luck as I would like. I would lose two or three pounds here or there and then just gain it back over and over again. Using this product (and also a terrific protein shake I have found at the Vitamin Shoppe) I have lost 6 pounds over the last couple of weeks. I haven't gained and lost it, but have consistently been losing a little at a time. I know a good part of that is thanks to the good bacteria that are in this probiotic. I like that this product is vegetarian and that it comes with a money back guarantee. I definitely always take that as a sign that the company believes in their product.I absolutely plan to buy another bottle when this one is empty and continue down this road of health with the help of a product that I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking to aide their digestive health.

Number One Nutrition's Advanced Probiotic can be purchased on Amazon.com.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Veil of Tears Documentary Review + Giveaway

I received a copy of the movie via Edify Media in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the documentary-

"Veil of Tears" is a documentary film that tells the untold story of millions of women in India who are culturally persecuted for no other reason than the fact that they are women. However, despite the centuries of oppression, there are those who are reaching out and trying to change the culture towards women, from the inside out. Filmed across of the stunning nation of India, in some of the most remote tribal villages in the world today, this is a journey where few outsiders have gone before.

My thoughts-

I am a big fan of documentaries, especially the ones that bring to light social issues that really need our attention. I knew that women in the middle east definitely deal with oppression, but I didn't recognize the dangerous extent to which it is taken. "Veil of Tears" brings to light just how dire the situation for women in India is, from birth all of the way to their elderly years. It is sad to know that anyone could be treated with such disregard, especially for no other reason than being born a woman. The bulk of the movie is interviews with different people who live India about this terrible issue. These stories and images and the sheer thought of some of these things still happening in this day and age is sorrowful and angering. Toward the end of the documentary, there was some information on what is  being done by a wonderful organization called Gospel for Asia that gives me hope for the women of India. There is information on the GFA website about the several ways you can get involved to help this mission. "Veil of Tears" is an important film to watch. It is not easy to get through at times, but these women need us. 

Enter below via the Rafflecopter to win a copy of this very poignant, yet hopeful documentary!

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Mom's Night Out by Tricia Goyer Blog Tour & Book Review + Win $200 Visa Gift Card!

Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Litfuse in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own.

About the book-

Mom's Night Out is a novelization of the hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life---where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and conversation . . . a long-needed mom's night out . But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours-what could go wrong?

Chronicling one night out gone awry, three harried moms, their husbands, a sister-in-law with a misplaced baby, a tattoo parlor owner, a motorcycle gang, and a bewildered cabbie all learn to embrace the beautiful mess called parenting. This book spotlights the unfulfilled expectations and serial self-doubts many moms feel . . . then reassures us that the key is raising kids in a loving home. Mom's Night Out is an endearing, true-to-life comedy.

My thoughts-

As soon as I heard that there was a movie called Mom's Night Out, I was very curious to know what it was about. The one form of entertainment I love more than watching movies is reading, so when I heard there was a novelization of the movie being done, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I know I have mentioned before that I will pretty much read anything that is written by Tricia Goyer, so the fact that she was the one that wrote the novelization further sealed the deal that I had to read this book. I could tell from the very beginning that someone that was a mom wrote this book. There were several instances through the book where I could absolutely relate to all of the moms in this group of friends. I think most mothers will find this book to easy to relate to, laugh out loud funny and heartwarming. It can be, at times, a bit predictable, but that doesn't take away from the joy of a story about moms out for a night and all of the hi-jinx that ensue. Since the movie came out first, I already knew who was playing each of these characters and I could definitely imagine several of them in their roles as I was reading through the book. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I will have to soon. I would recommend this book to any mom who has ever felt overwhelmed. I think we all feel the same way as these characters do from time to time and sometimes it is just nice to see that we are not alone in our struggles.

About the author: 

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series andLead Your Family Like Jesus (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children.

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**********Enter to win a $200 Visa Gift Card!**********

USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer has written the novelization to the much-anticipated movie, Moms' Night Out. Don't miss this hilarious family comedy that celebrates real family life—where everything can go wrong and still turn out all right.

And, look for the companion devotional written by comedian Kerri Pomarolli, Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.

Tricia and Kerri have teamed up for the "No More Frumpy Mommy" challenge.

Motherhood can sometimes seem like survival of the fittest. Every day brings its own troubles, and by the end of the day, you’re spent. Between school, soccer practice, cleaning, laundry, cooking dinner, putting away dishes, and keeping your kids from going at each others’ throats, the last thing on your mind is getting away for an evening. If that’s you, you’re invited to take part in Tricia and Kerri's No More Frumpy Mommy challenge.

Tricia and Kerri will choose 10 winners to receive a Fandango gift card to see Moms' Night Out, as well as copies of Moms' Night Out (the book) and Moms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss. One grand-prize winner will receive $200 to put toward her own moms' night out or her own moms' night out "ride" (getting her car detailed and cleaned).

GO HERE TO JOIN THE CHALLENGE!

In addition to the novelization of Mom's Night Out, there is also a Mom's Night Out devotional book. 

About the book-

As a Mom, couldn't you use a good laugh?

Inspired by the endearing, true-to-life movie Moms' Night Out, comedian Kerri Pomarolli has created this light, yet inspiring devotional that will definitely make you laugh, but will also help you discover that indeed you are not alone, and that God's gracious provision of love and faithfulness is at work in your life and of your loved ones.

Whether you're running full-speed-ahead or disappointed that it's Monday (again), you'll find joy in these devotions where Kerri shares hilarious stories and insights on daily life. Messy homes, messy kids, lost pets, never ending casseroles, forgetful husbands, and the desire to just take a long bath . . . This world can be a funny place, and these stories are bound to prove it. Read a devotion to brighten your morning, or catch a few words to make you smile before bed. There's never a bad time for a good laugh, and as a Mom, you need aMoms' Night Out and Other Things I Miss: Devotions To Help You Survive.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/wAUa1

My thoughts-

I thought this was a funny devotional, but full of great insight. It goes well with the book or if you have seen the movie, but I think it could stand alone as well if you are just looking for a good devotional book.

About the author: 

Called Hollywood's "God Girl," Kerri Pomarolli is an accomplished actress, comedian, published author, Christian speaker and veteran of television---with credits that include 29 appearances on The Tonight Show and Comedy Central. 

Connect with Kerri on Twitter
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Kerri Pomarolli  website