Edeco Decorative Wood Wall Hanging Sign Plaque "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

I love this little sign cannot wait to start decorating for Christmas. This will be put on my front screen door. I have signs for every holiday and just everyday signs which go in the place of honor on my screen door. This sign is very light weight, the designs is not painted on it is like paper glued on but it seems to be on their very well. I could not find any loose spots. This sign is a 8.7 inches x 3.3 inches, X 0.4 inches thick. There is a cut out on the back for handing. I put 2 thumb tacks and a piece of thin wire on the back so it hooked to my existing door hanger though. This is done in tan, red, white and green. It says Have yourself a merry little Christmas. It is decorated with a snowman and snowflakes. It is just adorable.

 I received this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Check it out on Amazon

Virtual Book Tour for Deadly Shot - Dan's Diary By Patricia Murphy

Deadly Shot - Dan's Diary

by Patricia Murphy

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GENRE: children's historical fiction/Middle Grade

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BLURB:

Football mad, twelve- year- old Dan is a trusted messenger for Ireland’s rebel leader, Michael Collins. He promises his cousin Molly to never fire a gun, but after the dramatic events of “Bloody Sunday” in Croke Park, he is pulled deeper into the struggle. Hunted by a vengeful Intelligence Officer, Molly and Dan are forced to flee Dublin. But unknown to Dan, he holds the key to a deadly plot. And his enemy will stop at nothing to track him down. On the run, they meet Flying Columns and narrowly escape death But as Cork burns can Dan continue to outrun his enemy?

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Excerpt :

The mean-faced Tan moved forward and cocked a gun in my direction. “You with the ball! Stop, you little Fenian brat, or I’ll shoot!”

He advanced towards me, his eyes flaming down the barrel of the gun. I thought I was going to wet myself with fear.

On impulse, I skied the ball straight up to heaven. It soared higher than the rooftops. Everyone tilted their heads. From the corner of my eye I glimpsed the young rebel making a run for it towards Saint Andrew’s church on the opposite side of the road.

“POW!” a shot rang out.

I prayed it wasn’t the rebel. But the lifeless thud of my ball was almost as bad. The Tan had shot my dearest possession. But they hadn’t even seen the gunman!

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AUTHOR Bio and Links: 

Patricia Murphy is an award-winning children’s author and Producer/Director of documentaries. Her most recent novel is Deadly Shot – Dan’s Diary - the War of Independence 1920-22. Previous works include the critically acclaimed Easter Week 1916 – Molly’s Diary, described as “brilliantly imagined”, “beautifully written and compelling” and “ fantastic at bringing history alive for children”. She is also the author of The Chingles Celtic Fantasy trilogy. She was the winner of the Poolbeg “Write a Bestseller for Children” Competition 2004.

She is also an award-winning Producer/Director of primetime documentaries for BBC and Channel 4. These include Children of Helen House on the Oxford children’s hospice for BBC. She created and filmed the launch programmes of Born to Be Different the Channel 4 flagship series following six children with disabilities through the 21st century. Other films include Behind the Crime about criminals and Raised by the State on growing up in care. She has also made Worst Jobs in History with Tony Robinson for Channel 4.

http://www.patriciamurphyonline.com

https://twitter.com/_PatriciaMurphy

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deadly-Shot-Dans-War-of-Independence-1920-22/852536338133795

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mollys-Diary-The-1916-Rising/277254289106782

Book Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n6mmxFyaWc

https://vimeo.com/139031328

PUBLISHER

Poolbeg  

http://poolbeg.com

Links to buy Deadly Shot – Dan’s Diary

http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Shot-Dans-Independence-1920-22/dp/1781999376

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Shot-Independence-1920-22-History/dp/1781999376

http://poolbeg.com/hands-on-history/562-deadly-shot-dan-s-diary-patricia-murphy.html

Links to buy Molly’s Diary

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Easter-Rising-1916-Mollys/dp/1781999740

http://www.amazon.com/The-Easter-Rising-1916-Mollys/dp/1781999740

http://poolbeg.com/hands-on-history/515-the-easter-rising-1916-molly-s-diary-patricia-murphy.html

Blog Spot by: Patricia Murphy:

GIVING HISTORY A PULSE - DEADLY SHOT – DAN’S WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 1920-22

PATRICIA MURPHY

How do you spark young reader’s interest in history? It’s just full of dead people and facts and old-fashioned dusty things. It all happened a long time ago when the world was black and white, as my young daughter believes because that’s what she sees in old photos. My approach is to put the story back into “history” with a strong plot and give historical figures a pulse by showing them as they really were at the time. After all, they weren’t always up on a pedestal or in the graveyard. They were once flesh and blood, ate their dinners, quarreled and got dressed in the morning. Living their lives in full spectrum color, just as we do. But I’ve also drawn on my own family history to ground the story.

In my novel Deadly Shot about the 1920’s Irish War of Independence the main character Dan, is loosely based on my late grandfather.

When I was little I was riveted by his account of being a boy scout in 1920’s Ireland. But he wasn’t just tying rope knots and learning to use flint to light fires. He belonged to the Fianna, militarist boy scouts who supported the rebels during Ireland’s guerilla war against the British. His tales involved being a lookout, running messages for rebel leaders and burying guns in the local park. He was a wonderful man, and hugely indulgent to his grandchildren. So I’m fairly confident that he wouldn’t mind how I’ve expanded his story into a dramatic narrative involving spies and sinister double agents. Plus a chase that sees the main characters rushing to the Treaty negotiations in London to stop war breaking out again. He always defended my overactive imagination!

I also drew on my fascination with my roots to flesh out the past, an interest that many of us share judging by the obsession with genealogy. My great-great grandfather was a Surgeon Major in the British Army stationed in India. He dis-inherited his son, my great-grandfather because he ran away to sea rather than join the British navy. Then the black sheep eloped with my great grandmother who was a Presbyterian, while he was a Catholic. In those days mixed marriages were frowned upon. My grandfather never met his own granddad. But somehow he inherited the Indian army ceremonial sword. He and his brother used to play with it down the park, slashing weeds pretending they were enemy troops in some childish war-game.

But as they grew older there was no need to pretend. From 1919-22 Ireland was plunged into a state of near anarchy during the bitter guerilla war. After the failure of the 1916 Rising, most of the country now supported the rebel’s aims for an independent Ireland if not their means. There were shootings, assassinations, attacks on police barracks and British troops. The British retaliated with the introduction of specialist counter-terrorist forces “The Black and Tans” and “The Auxiliaries”, hated for their brutality and reprisals on innocent civilians.

When my grandfather told me the exploits of his youth, he never glorified war. He grew to deplore violence and always emphasized that war and conflict were difficult times for children.

I also gave Dan my granddad’s prowess as a footballer. My grandfather was capped for Ireland’s youth team. While the sword has long vanished, we still have the velvet green cap. And of course the stories. For stories are part of our inheritance as much as our genes. They are the DNA or our culture and pass on the values and the concerns of one generation to the next. I have taken quite a few liberties with my grandfather’s stories to take us through the narrative of the war of Independence. But I’ve stayed faithful to the main historical events.

My previous novel The Easter Rising 1916 – Molly’s Diary that tells the story of the Easter rebellion through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl is now being taught in several schools in Ireland. I have been getting great feedback from teachers who have told me that it’s the first time some of their pupils have stayed awake in history class! I’ve also been delighted to hear that some kids have given the book to their parents and grandparents to read. I think my grandfather would have been pleased!

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Patricia Murphy will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Mischief Under the Mistletoe

This is my stop during the book blitz for Mischief Under the Mistletoe. With focus on Kimberly Kincaid her story in this box set Play Me. The Box set Mischief Under the Mistletoe includes 19 short stories by 19 different authors. The stories are adult romance books, but vary from sweet till super steamy. The box set will be on sale for only $0.99, that’s 19 stories for only $0.99!
This book blitz is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 17 till 23 November, you can view the complete blitz schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.

Mischief Under the Mistletoe
By Kristin Miller, Claudy Conn, Melanie James, Mindy Klasky, Holly S. Roberts, Stephanie Rowe, Diane Rinella, Kate Angell , Kimberly Kincaid, J.D. Tyler, Robin Covington, Suzanne Ferrell, Kathy Ivan, Selena Laurence, Jennie Marts, Teri Riggs, Jennifer Theriot, M.J. Fredrick and Deb Julienne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 17 November, 2015

Blurb:
Nineteen contemporary holiday hotties, just waiting to be unwrapped from your favorite NY Times, USA Today, Amazon Bestselling, and Award Winning Authors. This anthology won't last long. Grab it while it's HOT!

Kristin Miller - The Bad Boy Meets his Match
When lingerie-store owner Cora Brennan plans a getaway at a quaint mountain retreat, she never expects to reunite with the playboy she spent a memorable night with in college. Can they finally admit their true feelings for each other before love is lost to them again?

Claudy Conn - Collide & Burn
Charlie knows when she first sees Wade Devon that he is
trouble. Wade likes to win. It is what he does and he wants her...no strings attached. She has to ask herself, should she, or shouldn't she.

Melanie James - Snowflakes, Exes, and Ohs
With two men vying for her affection, Abbie's heart is torn between the two. One has always been there for her, no matter what. The other left when she needed him the most.

Mindy Klasky - Fly Me to the Moon
Lexi thinks she's recovered from the fire that burned her years ago. But when she falls for PTSD-ridden army veteran Finn, she learns how deep some scars can be.

Holly S. Roberts - Ruck
Van, one of the best players in rugby and the hottest player between the sheets is looking for a holiday miracle. His brother won the girl and Van's heart is broken. Could the gift of a lifetime be his for the taking or will this bad boy ruck it up again?

Stephanie Rowe - Wrapped Up In You
Can the Christmas magic of a coastal Maine island heal two broken souls when a winter storm strands them together?

Diane Rinella - It's A Marshmallow World
One Christmas, Darla was given a mystical gift, along with an ominous message. Years later, meeting Chris puts her head in a spin. Could it be that gift from long ago holds the key to their happiness?

Kate Angell - Snow One Like You
A Vermont Christmas Eve blizzard forces Allie to close Hartley's  General Store. Her best friend Rhys arrives by snowmobile, not wanting her  to endure the snowstorm alone. A playful kiss under the mistletoe warms more  than their hearts.

Kimberly Kincaid - Play Me
Sophie Drayton has seen enough of the wild life to know that Emilio Barrett is bad news. But the sexy stripper has secrets of his own. Will Sophie's past come back to haunt her, or will Emilio prove that a bad boy can be also be a good man?

J.D.Tyler - One Last Miracle
After a case gone horribly wrong, FBI Agent Mark McClendon retreats to his late grandfather's isolated cabin, determined to escape his pain. He's completely unprepared to find himself falling for his pretty new neighbor--but when the past comes gunning for him, Mark's newfound love may mean the difference between a second tragedy and a holiday miracle.

Robin Covington - When You Open Your Eyes
War tore Gabe and Ellie apart and three years later, he's almost given up any hope that she'll come back to him. When she returns just before the holidays, he wants nothing more for the damaged, stubborn woman he loves to stay forever but she's ready to run as soon as the gifts are opened. Chased by her nightmares, Gabe's only hope of keeping Ellie is to convince her that he'll be there when she opens her eyes.

Suzanne Ferrell- Close To The Mistletoe
When teacher Holly Murphy walks into Westen's only bar to help her friend celebrate a divorce, she doesn't expect hot carpenter Nick Fisher to save her from an embarrassing situation. His heated kisses awakens something deep inside her, but when someone sets his sights on Holly, will Nick be the one to protect her close to the mistletoe?

Kathy Ivan - Yours For The Holidays
At her hospital's annual Bachelor Auction, event organizer, Dr. Alanna Reeves, is blindsided when the tables are turned and Blake Donovan offers a huge donation--for her! Can a trip to Florida for the holidays help them discover their true feelings or drive them apart forever?

Selena Laurence - Prince of the Press
Marcus Ambrose, the newest face in political media, is one hot ticket. But when he meets his brother's down-to-earth secretary Renee, his own heart takes a knock. Can Marcus's famous 'full-court press' convince the woman of his dreams to take a shot at love?

Jennie Marts - Worth the Shot
Addison Cavanaugh had one rule: Do not date hockey players. So kissing the newest trade to her dad's team
should have been off-limits--even if he is hot enough to melt the ice. Is the new player worth the shot or is she is risking her heart in a game she can't possibly  win?

Teri Riggs - Finding True's Love
Six months after True's last boss viciously attacked her, she's ready to take her therapist's advice and go back into the work force. She wants her life to be normal again and working for another man will be a giant step towards that goal.
Nick has been betrayed by a pretty face for the last time and has sworn off relationships. Or so he thought until the day his new assistant, True Kelly, walked into his office.

Jennifer Theriot - Unwrapping Noel
Noel Calabrese hates Christmas as much as she hates her life. While in the Napa Valley on a business trip, she meets Leon Hallas. Could this sexy, silver fox be her ticket to happiness?

MJ Fredrick - Bluestone Christmas
Come back to Bluestone, Minnesota for Christmas, where single mom Willow Branson has moved from Texas to make a home with her daughter. But moving from a Texas winter to a Minnesota one is more challenging than she expected, and handsome handyman Chase Granzer is more than happy to help her adapt...and keep her warm.

Deb Julienne - All I Want For Christmas
Rafe Donnelly hates everything to do with the holidays. Ali Sanders is a single mother, juggling two jobs and missing most of her son's childhood. Who knew a little boy's Santa wish could change so many lives?


You can find Mischief Under the Mistletoe on Goodreads

You can buy Mischief Under the Mistletoe here:
- Amazon
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- iTunes

Kimberly Kincaid her story in the box set:
Play Me
By Kimberly Kincaid
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: December 1, 2015

Blurb:
As the daughter of rock and roll’s most notorious producer, Sophie Drayton has seen enough bright lights and big city to last ’til she’s ninety. Now that she’s ditched the wild life in LA to pursue her passion for books, she wants nothing more than to live on the straight and narrow. The last thing Sophie needs is the attention of a cocky bad boy stripper…no matter how sexy his smile is.

Emilio Barrett knows all about cover-ups—after all, his job is just one act after another. He can tell there’s more to feisty, guarded Sophie than she lets on. But Emilio has secrets of his own. His true lifeblood lies in music, and he’s getting tired of leading two lives on stage. He’ll do whatever it takes to get his break.

The more Sophie and Emilio get to know each other, the more they discover they’re not as different as they seem. But when her past collides with his truths, will Sophie’s defenses win out, or will Emilio prove that a bad boy can also be a good man?


You can find Play Me on Goodreads

About the Author:
Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as "The Pleather Bomber", she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2015 RWA RITA® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Her digital Line series is all about the hot cops and sexy chefs of Brentsville, New York. She is also the author of the Pine Mountain series, which follows small town singles as they find big-time love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters. Visit her any time at www.kimberlykincaid.com or come check her out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/kimberly.kincaid1) and Twitter (@kimberlykincaid).

You can find Kimberly Kincaid online here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Facebook page
- Twitter  
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Pinterest
- Street Team
- Newsletter

Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers by Sally Allen

Book Details:

Book Title:  Unlocking Worlds:  A Reading Companion for Book Lovers by Sally Allen
Category:  Adult non-fiction, 225 pages
Genre:  Books and reading
Publisher:  Griffins Wharf
Release date:  November 2015
Available for review in:  Print, ebook (PDF)
Will send print books:  Internationally
Tour dates:  Nov 16 - December 18, 2015
Content Rating:  G

Book Description:  

Award-winning writer and teacher Sally Allen knows that good books don’t just draw us in; they talk to us, shape us, and transport us to times, places, and minds different from our own.

In Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers, Allen deftly weaves personal stories with fifteen thematized, annotated, and illustrated reading lists for what to read next. By sharing some of the treasures in her library and the secret lives they reveal, she gives us permission to embrace the shameless book lover inside each of us. Unlocking Worlds is a testament to how reading passionately—and compassionately—can unlock the world beyond our back yard. Celebrating books and those who read them, Allen shows how the solitary act of reading can be a powerful thread that creates community and connection. Thought-provoking and eloquent, Unlocking Worlds: A Reading Companion for Book Lovers is a must-have for anyone who can’t leave the house without a book in hand.

Buy the book:   Amazon   Barnes & Noble

Author's Bio:

Award winning writer and teacher Sally Allen holds a Ph.D. from New York University in English Education, with an emphasis in writing and rhetoric, and a M.A. in English Language and Literature. She teaches writing, literature, and communications, leads book group discussions, and is the founder and editor of Books, Ink at HamletHub.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter

Guest Post with Sally Allen:

What’s the first thing you remember writing?

by Sally Allen, author of Unlocking Worlds

Reading has been my inspiration for writing since childhood. It began with one of my early favorite books, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg.

In the story, twelve-year-old Claudia and her nine-year-old brother Jamie run away from their Connecticut home and move into the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. To my young mind, Claudia and Jamie’s idea seemed brilliant and enviable. Growing up in New York City, I spent many hours touring the museum with my parents and on school trips, and my favorite exhibits to linger in were the elaborate rooms where Claudia and Jamie camped out. If, like Claudia, I’d had a younger brother with a loaded piggy bank, I might just have followed in her footsteps!

Since I didn’t, my next best option, it seemed to me, was to write myself into the story. The first thing I remember writing was the “lost” chapters of From the Mixed-Up Files, in which Claudia and Jamie discover another runaway living at the museum, i.e. me. We join forces to investigate the origins of a new sculpture that has arrived at the museum and pool our resources to increase our standard of living, mostly as relates to the meals we could purchase at area eateries.

From there, I went on to write a series of runaway adventures that featured places I was reading about and often required access to a time machine so that I could figure out how to get myself into New York City circa the turn of the twentieth century or London circa Victorian times. These early writing forays revealed that I was more interested in writing about my experiences of books than anything else, and with every great book I read, that interest blooms all over again.

What’s the most memorable experience you had of reading as a child?

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

5 winners will each get a copy of Unlocking Worlds & a copy of

Book Life: A Book Lover's Journal

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 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil with a Glass Dropper from First Botany Cosmeceuticals

This is my first order with First Botany Cosmeceuticals and I am very impressed. This Bulgarian Lavender oil seems to be of a very high quality. It is pure lavender oil. It comes in a large 4 ounce amber glass bottle. The amber glass bottle helps to keep the oil protected from harsh and UV lighting which can cause it to spoil and loose its potency very quickly. It also has a screw on lid and comes with a glass eye dropper.
  I personally use lavender oil for its healing qualities and its cleaning capabilities more then for using it mu diffuser.  This works well in all these ways. I will be coming back to First Botany Cosmeceuticals again.

 I received this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Check it out on Amazon

Big Stainless Steel Bag Clips by Pro Chef Kitchen Tools

I have a bunch of the plastic bag clips and they work for a time or two before they break and some of them fit so loosely they are useless. These bag clips on the other hand are made of stainless steel and built to last. These pinch very tightly on chip bags, cereal bags, coffee bags, and more. They even work with bread bags. These can also be used on bags that go int he fridge like salad bags. These are 4 inches wide. The jaws open wider then the plastic clips also, so they work when you are down to just a couple servings left in the bag. I am thrilled with these bag clips.

 I received this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Check it out on Amazon

Xpassion Electric Milk Frother Handheld

Great little frother. This takes 2 AA batteries which are not included. Great for frothing your coffee drinks, mixing hot chocolate or other drinks. I personally use mine for frothing candle wax for some of the fancy desert looking candles I make. Very lightweight and fits in your hand well. It only takes about 30 seconds for drinks to be nicely frothed. Great stocking stuffer or as a part of a beverage or a general kitchen gift basket.

 I received this product for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Check it out on Amazon