Mei Tei Style Baby Sling Carrier from Cozitot

We have had a couple of baby sling carriers, but this is the most beautiful one we have had. I just love the stitching on it. I also love the fact that it has very comfortable padded shoulder/chest straps. The straps are very long and work great on large and small adults. The sling seems to be very comfortable for baby, there was no fussing or excessive wiggling as if he was uncomfortable. This sling is very lightweight but yet very sturdy materials. The sheet of directions is step by step with pictures, some of the best directions I have seen on any product in a long time.  The directions show how to wear both on your front and back. This sling is machine washable and stain resistant. I love the fact that it can hold babies up to 35 pounds, comfortably for both baby and adult.

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

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BOOK TOUR: At the Sharp End of Lightning by N.R. Bates

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Book Details:

Book Title:  At the Sharp End of Lightning by NR Bates
Category:  YA fiction, 444 pages
Genre:  Fantasy / magic realism / sci fi 
Publisher:  NR Bates Publishing
Release date:  October 2015
Available for review in:  Print, ebook, mobi file (for Kindle), gifted Kindle copy, ePub, PDF
Will send books:  USA & Canada
Tour dates: Jan 4 to 29, 2016
Content Rating: PG-13 (There is one f-word, but no other profanities, sex, violence)

Book Description:

AT THE SHARP END OF LIGHTNING. The interwoven fantastical tale of family, of loss and sacrifice, of unexpected gifts and coping with disability and new abilities set against the backdrop of climate change occurring across parallel worlds. In Oceanlight, Yalara Narika, a winged Sea Sprite, searches for her lover over immense seas only to find catastrophe and realization that her world is in turmoil.

Meanwhile in the safe suburban normality of North Wales, Einion Morgan Alban, a restless youth afflicted by a disease of the blood, is nearly murdered by a man in a white suit. Yalara and Einion must discover the causes of their near-deaths and their as yet unrevealed connections as they both face upheaval to their lives and their worlds.

Meet the author:  

​NR Bates was born in London, grew up in Wales, and lived in Canada and Bermuda. He shares his life with his wife and his house with seven cats, one dog and the subtropical wildlife of lizards, wolf spiders and ant colonies that seek out a better life indoors.

He is an oceanographer and scientist, and has published more than one hundred and thirty scientific papers on ocean chemistry, climate change and ocean acidification. He is a Senior Scientist at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and Professor of Ocean Biogeochemistry at the University of Southampton, UK.

​His novels focus on epic fantasy and magic realism, and inspired by his deep love of the ocean and environmental sciences. He has also recently published a small book of short-stories set in Paris, entitled “The Fall of Icarus (The Elevator, The Fall of Icarus, and The Girl)”.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook

Guest post by N.R. Bates, author of At The Sharp End of Lightning

Curiosity by N.R. Bates

My novel “At the Sharp End of Lightning” is the first of a book series that explores the issue of real climate and environmental change affecting our planet while using the literary device of fantasy and magic realism. In early researching for the book series and subsequently, during the practical aspects of actually writing and revision of manuscripts, and latterly, I have often pondered the relationship between art and science, and their similarities and differences. As a practicing scientist, all my research work is aimed at trying to understand how the ocean works, and the interrelatedness of its biology, chemistry and physics. This scientific approach always follows the scientific method—it combines systematic observation, measurements and experimentation to formulate, test and refine hypotheses and as a means to investigate phenomena, acquire new information, and modify existing knowledge. For me, the practice of art reflects an incredibly diverse approach to the creation of sensorial artifacts—visual, touch, auditory—that express their creator’s imagination, aesthetics and technical skills.

What similarities are there between science and art?

As a scientist, my reporting of investigations of how the ocean works in the form of scientific papers always follow a very constrained and refined approach—a scientific paper typically contains a title, an introduction to and rationale for the science reported in the paper, the methods of observation, testing and experimentation used in the study, a discussion of results and findings, and a discussion of how the study contribute new understanding or a refinement of knowledge, for example. As with all scientific papers, it typically references the legacy of understanding and findings previously reported by others, and as such, builds upon the foundations of many scientists who have come before. Scientific papers might seem arcane and full of language difficult to understand—but this simply reflects a use of terminology or words that are not commonly used outside of science. It just needs time and practice to understand the actual meaning contained within. As it requires practice to read Beowulf in Old English or Scots vernacular used by Rabbie Burns or contemporary writers such as Irvine Welsh—once acquired, wonders are revealed.

As a writer, one starts with a blank page, and gradually, with time, a literary work hopefully transpires. Writing fiction has much freedom, unlike scientific writing which has to abide by the scientific method. But like a scientific paper, there is an underlying form and approach—diverse as it might be—to the work of fiction, and the craft of writing. There are narrative arcs, point-of-views, and character construction as examples, that all underpin the work. The other common underpinning is the published legacy of the writing of previous authors that deeply imbue all subsequent works of fiction. There is no reference or citation list included as afterword in most novels, but investigate the work and the influences, the legacy and the continuum of literary pursuits over time are contained within. In a sense, writers continually modify our knowledge and understanding of who we are, just as scientists continually refine their understanding of the how things are.

What is another common similarity between science and art for me? It’s a personal view, but it comes down to one thing—curiosity. As a scientist, I am highly curious about how the observable world works and functions. As a writer, I am highly curious about how the world works and the myriad wonderful diversity of individuals and societies. Curiosity. It drives me to be a scientist and a writer of fiction. They are expressed differently, but they both share this commonality—to find out about how we as humans and the broader Universe work!

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Win 1 of 5 print copies of At the Sharp End of Lightning

- one winner will also receive a $30 Amazon gift card (open to USA & Canada)

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Blitz for The Reaper Series Box Set by Lisa Medley

Reap and Repent

The Reaper Series

Book 1

Lisa Medley

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Big Cedar

Date of Publication: March 3, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-9908856-2-7

ASIN: B00TJFIOFK

Number of pages: 328

Word Count: 84k

Cover Artist: Sweet and Spicy Designs

Book Description:

They see death. Can they share a life?

Ruth Scott can read the energy of every person she meets. Then she meets Deacon Walker. She can see his ice-blue eyes, his black hair, and his gorgeous face. But this beautiful stranger has no aura.

Deacon is just as unsettled by Ruth—and, having spent more than two hundred years ushering souls to Purgatory, Deacon is seldom shocked by anything. As he helps Ruth to understand her true nature, she awakens desires that he decided long ago a Reaper can’t afford.

A demon invasion forces Deacon to confront the darkness in his own past even as he fights to save the human souls he’s charged to protect. When he’s taken captive, his first concern is for Ruth. But Ruth just might be able to save herself—and the Reaper she can’t live without—if she can learn to wield her newfound powers.

Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Reap and Redeem                  

The Reaper Series

Book 2

Lisa Medley

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Big Cedar

Date of Publication: March 10, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-9908856-4-1

ASIN: B00UKBZO7S

Number of pages: 326

Word Count: 80k

Cover Artist: Sweet and Spicy Designs

Book Description:

He’s a reaper who has given up on saving souls. Will a dying woman be his salvation?

After a century of enslavement to pure evil, Kylen Larson is finally free. But he’s long past caring. The only woman he ever loved is dead, and he’s tormented by memories of the horrors his demon parasite forced him to commit. Now, he lives for nothing more than hunting down the infernal creatures invading Meridian, Arkansas, and destroying them.

Olivia Evans is in the final stages of cancer when Kylen accidentally saves her from demonic possession. When he rescues this innocent soul, Kylen rediscovers his mission—and his heart. All he wants is to help Olivia stay alive. He’ll just have to fight off an invasion from Hell first…

Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

Reap and Reveal 

The Reaper Series

Book 3

Lisa Medley

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Big Cedar

Date of Publication: April 5, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-9908856-6-5

ASIN: B00VB4VFJY

Number of pages: 302

Word Count: 78k

Cover Artist: Sweet and Spicy Designs

Book Description:

By day he saves lives in the city he loves. Can he save souls too?

Nate is an EMT, a witch and a newly inducted member of the Reaper Authority Force. What he's not is a reaper. With unexplained abilities, his true nature lies somewhere in between the angels, demons and reapers he finds himself involved with. When he's paired with the reaper Maeve, he struggles to find his place in the rising war to save the souls of Meridian and the world.

Maeve has tried to hide her reaper handicap--her toxic reaper energy--from her colleagues. But when she's possessed by a fallen angel and forced to poach souls for Hell, her greatest weakness might be the only thing that saves her.

Nate uses his growing powers and his innate magic to find Maeve. He'll do whatever it takes to save her, revealing more than he ever imagined in the process.

Amazon and Kindle Unlimited

About the Author:

Lisa has always enjoyed reading about monsters in love and now she writes about them, because monsters need love too.

She adores beasties of all sorts, fictional as well as real, and has a farm full of them in her Southwest Missouri home, including: one child, one husband, two dogs, two cats, a dozen hens, thousands of Italian bees, and a guinea pig.

She may or may not keep a complete zombie apocalypse bug-out bag in her trunk at all times, including a machete. Just. In. Case.

http://lisa-medley.com

https://www.facebook.com/lisamedleyauthor

https://twitter.com/lisamedley

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7824406.Lisa_Medley

https://plus.google.com/u/1/+LisaMedley/posts

Briskbars Vegan Energy Snack Bars, 0.88oz Bars, 4 Count

These brisk snack bars are actually good for you. They give you a energy pick up, and also can calm a sweet tooth. They were way to strong flavored for me, but my Daughter flipped for them. She wants more. The flavor is very strong to me of a dark chocolate almost coffee like flavor. I personally am not into dark chocolate, coffee, or coconut, all 3 of which my Daughter loves.
 I do love that these are all natural and plant based energy. There is so many problems with the fake energy stuff like the drinks and all, I love that these are vegan, no GMO, no Gluten. Pretty much anyone with allergies could eat these. The bars are small but it does hit the spot.

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

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iFlly Mini Flyer Flying Ball

 We had a blast with this flying ball even the neighbors came out to watch it fly. This has a proximity sensor built in so it jumps up and over things, it flies around things, and actually runs a good long time. Size wise it is in between a golf ball and a tennis ball. It has a red. green, and blue light inside, they glows very brightly. When it does crash, you have to turn it off and back on to reset it, which I think is god because it is not tearing up the wings when lands in a bush or whatever. To catch it you kind of have to sneak up on it so the proximity sensor doesn't send it up and around you. If you slap at it, it knocks it out of kilter and goes kind of nuts in huge circles, really fast, until it crashes. The kids and adults both had fun chasing it around. There is no remote with this like a drone, but it was tons of fun if not more fun.
  There were no instructions, and i did take a minute or 2 to figure out. There is a tiny yellow slide button net to the charging port, that is the power. After you turn it on make sure you have a good hold on the ball itself. It take a couple of seconds for the blades to start to turn but when they do they whip, so make sure fingers are out of the way. It does come with a USB charging cable, it can be plugged into a wall charger or any USB port charger.

 I received this product at a discounted price in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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BOOK TOUR: Giving Candy to Strangers by Stan Holden

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Book Details:

Book Title:  Giving Candy to Strangers:  Tips for Creating Abundance through Heart-Centered Sales by Stan Holden
Category:  Adult non-fiction, 208 pages
Genre:  Business & Sales
Publisher:  Next Century Publishing
Release date:  November 2015
Available for review in:  Print, PDF
Will send books:  USA & Canada
Tour dates: Jan 4 to 29, 2016
Content Rating: G

Book Description for Giving Candy to Strangers:

Too many sales people are focused on the end result, the outcome—the close—and another notch on their gun! But, what if you approached “sales” from a heart-centered standpoint, with curiosity and playfulness, as though the world were your sandbox?

What if you created relationships for no other reason than to help others and make new friends? I know what you are saying, "How can it not be about results when it comes to business?"

The bottom line is important, but if you detach from this burden while you are creating relationships, you will find that the health of your bottomline will improve on its own!

Buy the book:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble   Book Depository   Chapters/Indigo

Meet the author:

Stan Holden, owner of The LooneyBin Creative Studio, has created work for many Fortune 100 companies. As a protégé, he was first published in a national magazine during the 5th grade. A graduate of California University Long Beach, his screenplay, Rebel Without A Claus, has received a "recommend" by Disney and optioned for filming. He resides in Irvine, CA, with his wife, Reneé, and their two teenagers, Sara and William.

Connect with the author:    Website   Twitter   Facebook

1. How did you come up with the concept of the book?

As a professional artist most of my career, it occurred to me that there are not a lot of business books written by artists (and for good reason, many of us are flakey and not necessarily good at business)! I took a deep look at the successful design studio I ran for years and realized that one of the major reasons I succeeded was not because I was such a great designer... but because I was a connector, I was easy and fun to work with and I enjoyed helping my clients (and competition). I had written a few stories for Chicken Soup For The Soul and thought that a business book written with more sentiment and emotion (from the perspective of an artist) was needed. I also realized that as an artist I tend to do things outside of the box... why not apply and teach that to others as it applies to business and relationships in a practical way?

2. Where did you get the title and what does it mean?

Many of my advertising agency clients would come to me as a hired gun—so-to-speak—for conceptual writing and fresh ideas. Meaning, I would create catchy headlines, ideas and concepts for campaigns that their internal creative people would take and then expand on. I am fond of "double entendres" and playing with words, so I wanted a title that would make people think and then be attracted to. In this case, I took what is normally taken as a negative (Taking Candy From Strangers) and turned it around into a positive, Giving Candy To Strangers. Which is also the core philosophy of the book—turning things around and giving! As a side note to that, I designed the cover of the book before I ever wrote a word. Normally, you do not design your own cover much less do it before the book is written... but I like to do things differently.

3. How important is the heart to the marketing process?

Easy answer, it's the most important part and the beginning of everything! It is where all ideas and creation start. Whether it be choosing to do something creatively or creating a new relationship. Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge," even as a scientist he understood this. It all starts in the heart, including imagination, and then moves to your head. Apple computer understands this at a deep level. Their products fill a need at an emotional level before a practical level. I have had the pleasure of working on many projects for Apple and that philosophy permeates throughout the entire company... from accounting, to marketing. You have to move people to move business and that starts with the heart.

Giveaway:​

Prizes: ​

Win 1 of 10 print copies of Giving Candy to Strangers

(open to USA & Canada)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Glow2Go 20 Self Tan Towelettes | Self Tanner Sunless Tanning Half Body Wipes | Application Towels

I was kind of skeptical of these tanning wipes I will admit. I was a little afraid I would look orange or they would not work at all. When they came in I opened the box. Each towelette is individually wrapped. So I took out 1 packet, I opened it up and there was a white towelette inside that looked like a baby wipe. I was like ok, they forgot to put the stuff on it. So I reread the box and applied by the directions. I put it on my thigh first, since I figured if It didn't work out, I could wear jeans for a couple of days and no one would know. I then set in my chair staring at my leg waiting. After about 10 minutes my leg did change colors. I am very happy with the color it changed to. It was not a orange color but it actually does look like a tan. I then pulled the towelette out of the zip lock bag I put it in and continued applying it all over my legs and the rest of me that I wanted to look tanned. It did take 3 towelettes to cover everything and and I also used one for touch ups. Since this does go on clear you can and will miss a few spots here and there. So far I have had this on for about 4 days and although it has lightened up some I can still see the tan. I do like these towelettes and the ease of use.

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

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