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©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

Recently I read a book that I found completely different than anything else I have read before. This book is called Vivid and is by Andrea Murray.

When Vivian Cartwright was five years old, she witnessed her mother’s death.

Now, sixteen-year-old Vivian only wants a normal life—hard to accomplish when you possess the power to control energy. Her entire life she has feared her power and its connection to her mother’s murder. She has kept her ability a secret from everyone except her guardian, Charlotte, who has hidden Vivian from the man responsible for her mother’s murder.

Her secret is safe until Vivian subconsciously defends herself at school using her power. After this first use of her gift in many years, Vivian’s power seems to take on a mind of its own, increasing in strength and demanding to be used. This increase in power also brings dreams of her mother’s death and the mysterious man connected with it. When she is assigned to tutor the would-be boyfriend of Trista Parmer (a.k.a. the biggest diva in school), Vivian cannot deny the electrifying connection that she feels for the boy, Easton Garrett. In her desire to get Easton away from Vivian, Trista doubles her efforts to humiliate Vivian, forcing Vivian to use her supernatural gift over and over. With each use, Vivian fears she is losing control and discovers her powers are growing—maybe too much—bringing her unknowingly closer to the man who murdered her mother.

When I started to read this book, I had no idea what it would really be about.  I was very pleased to say that the book is a unique idea and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new take on paranormal.  I loved the story line, including the innocent love story.  I am very excited to see what the next book has in store for Vivian and Easton!  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Author Bio:

Andrea Murray has been teaching English for longer than most of her students have been alive.  She has taught everything from junior high language arts to concurrent credit freshman composition. She lives in a very small town in Arkansas with her precocious daughter, energetic son, and racecar-driving husband.  When she isn’t writing or reading novels for her students, she’s probably watching reality television or cheesy science fiction movies.  In addition to Vivid, Andrea has also written Vicious, the sequel to her first novel.

Buy the Book!

Disclosure: I was gifted this book for the purpose of review. Many thanks to Chick Lit Plus for including me in this blog tour! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

I swear I will be getting some blogging up soon. My job is taking away all of my fun time!!!

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©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

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©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

Be sure to check out my current giveaways!  You can find them on the right sidebar.

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©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

Over the years, I have had more than my share of pictures that have hit the fate of a delete button.  As a mom of 6 kids, I have tried and succeeded in taking many pictures too.  There are a few tips I wanted to share with you about things I have learned over the years.

• Don’t hit that delete button too fast (or at all).  Keeping even those that aren’t “perfect” can make lasting memories.
• Candid photos are often some of the best.  Seeing your family act naturally is a beautiful thing to have as a memory.
• If you want to do a theme, do it right… do it all the way.  Being matchy-matchy is okay sometimes but keep that to the kids.
• Boys and girls can match in photos.  Keep it simple though with some coordinating fabrics/patterns.
• Don’t fret about your kids smiling in the family photo.  Take it and be happy with what you get.
• Have a crying child during your family photo?  Remember that it is one moment in time and will make for a funny story later.
• Don’t forget to capture photos of babies getting older.  All too soon they will be walking, talking, and acting more grown-up than you care to see.  You will want to look back and see those sweet baby pictures.  Trust me on this one.
• If you do a family photo, consider doing it the same time each year.  Whether it be at Christmas time or any other throughout the year, at least do your family photo once a year at the same time.
• Don’t count on kids’ school pictures to be enough.  Snap your own!

JCPenney Portrait Studios is one of those places you may decide to head for some great family photos.  Now is a great time to do so too!  The JCPortraits April promotion is $20 for 6 traditional portrait sheets (mix and match size and images) as well as one free $9 sitting fee.  You can’t beat that!!  With a deal like that, you have no excuse… get those family pics now!  You can find a location near you with the location finder on the website.

Check out my Pinterest board for some great ideas from JC Penney Portraits!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of jcpenney Portrait Studio. I was asked to create a Pinterest Board and pin at least five (5) pins. I give jcpenney the right to repin any or all images/original content from this board. I received a promotional item as a thanks for my participation.

©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CloSYS for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My husband has one complaint about all oral products; they all hurt his mouth.  He has had his fair share of 

oral health problems and nearly every product I have bought for him has caused him severe discomfort in the form of burning.  As a nurse, oral health is a big topic of concern for me because of the links between bad oral health and heart disease.  Everyone needs to take care of their mouth!  I have spent a lot of money over the years with no success.  That is until… now!

We were recently sent CloSYS to try and my husband was more than happy to give it a go.  CloSYS contains no Alcohol to burn your mouth yet still kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria in just 10 seconds!  When we opened up the box, I found a small tube of mint flavoring.  You can use CloSYS with or without the mint flavor.  Mike tried both but stated that he likes the mint added better.  He said that without it, there is no flavor at all so if you aren't into a mint taste that is for you.

Mike is so happy to have found a product that cleans so effectively without the unpleasant burn that has come with so many other products.  In addition, he said that the effects are long lasting and his bad breath is no longer a concern after using CloSYS.  

You can find CloSYS both online and in stores.  Be sure to check it out for yourself!  And, CloSYS is on Facebook… like them!

©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

We do not have to be a gluten-free family but I do know many that are.  I understand that they often struggle with finding foods that taste good and that their kids will eat.  So, when Udi’s asked me if I wanted to review some of their goodies, I was all for it.  I wanted to be able to tell my friends about some foods that I would recommend… and, of course, you!

Udi’s sent us Snickerdoodle Cookies, Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites, and some Muffin Tops.  We are in love with all of them.  I especially love the Snickerdoodle Cookies.

I’m not sure what I was expecting with the Gluten-free products, but it wasn’t what I got.  They weren’t dry, hard, or remotely gross.  They are delicious.  My kids ask for them, I try to hide them, and my husband thinks they are for him alone.  I would recommend Udi’s Gluten-free foods to anyone looking for some delicious foods… whether you need Gluten-free foods or not.

You can find Udi’s near you!

Disclosure: We were given the product mentioned for the purpose of review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

A roller coaster of a romance between a divorced dad and a dance teacher.

Ballet instructor Casey Richardson takes an immediate dislike to the brash, arrogant Drew Byrne when he pulls his nine-year-old son out of her “silly” dance class. Still, she cannot help noticing his smoking hot body and bedroom eyes.

A working class girl raised in the small fishing and farming community on Long Island’s rural North Fork, Casey knows all too well how easily a girl can get hurt by the notorious womanizing hunks that flourish on the South Fork in the Hamptons. Men like Drew Byrne.

The last thing she needs is for him to be the only one who can save her from losing her dance academy, the dream she has worked so hard to turn into a reality.

Remarrying is definitely off Drew’s list of things to do. As head of his Fortune 500 trucking company, he enjoys his wealth and has no problem keeping it a game with some of the world’s most beautiful women. So why should his son’s challenging, straight talking dance teacher get under his skin in a way no other female has?

Sure, Casey Richardson has luminous brown eyes and a lean, taut body that drives him nuts, but he’s seen plenty in his day with the supermodels he is used to dating. He tells himself it is because Casey is the only one who was able to bring his shy, uncommunicative son out of his shell. But even that isn’t it.

Bewildered, Drew decides he just might make use of those ridiculous psychic readings he won at North Cove’s Annual Fourth Of July Bazaar raffle. Little does he know the local psychic who donated the readings has taken off last minute for some trekking in Tibet —and Casey was swayed into substituting for her with phone readings to the anonymous winner.

Add in a stint on a hit TV dance-off series, a cozy local coffee shop, a narcissistic rock star and a protective big brother to make KISS ME, DANCER a sexy, heartfelt and fun read.

I will be honest with you, as always. I was a bit put off by the cover of this book. I am one of those bad people who judges a book by its cover. But, I am happy to say that after reading further than the front cover, I was more than happy with this book. I found it to be cute and fun. I liked the interaction between Casey and Drew. I also loved the involvement of the kids in the book, especially Drew’s son. It created a different aspect than I am used to. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, fun read.

Disclosure: I was gifted this book for the purpose of review. Many thanks to Chick Lit Plus for including me in this blog tour! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.

Johnny and Joley love Yo Gabba Gabba.  Ever since the first live show, they have been fans and talk about it often.  Joley was so excited when the latest DVD came, Yo Gabba Gabba: Super Spies.

Yo Gabba Gabba: Super Spies Episode Synopses
Super Spies
When a bad spy named Bateman makes off with the Gabba Land gang’s balloon art, it’s time for a musical spy recovery mission, full of gadgets, robot guards, and great beats.  Jason Bateman guest stars and “Super Music Friends Show” musical guests Peter Bjorn and John perform.

Mystery
Toodee and Plex go searching for Foofa who has disappeared. Toodee finds clues to solve the mystery.  Toodee and Plex find Foofa at the beach and meet her cool brother Foofle. Ladytron performs, Jack McBrayer and Paul Scheer tell a knock-knock joke and Biz Markie is featured in the recurring “Biz’s Beat of the Day” segment.

Space
The Gabba gang goes on a space adventure in a flying saucer. They look through a telescope at the stars and planets.  In space they meet new friends and discover a new planet.  Musical guests Electrocute perform and Mark Mothersbaugh is featured in the recurring “Mark’s Magic Pictures” segment.

Big
Brobee gets frustrated about being the little one, and he wants to know what it’s like to be big like DJ Lance.  He accidentally switches places with DJ Lance and grows big, but Brobee has a hard time being like DJ Lance.  DJ Lance and Brobee switch places again and everything is back to normal in Gabbaland.  Musical guest Jem performs and Mark Mothersbaugh is featured in the recurring “Mark’s Magic Pictures” segment.

This DVD is so fun and my kids recommend it!  Be sure to check it out wherever DVDs are sold.  It can be purchased for only $16.99 (suggested retail price).

I also have one copy to give away!!  Be sure to add your entries in the Rafflecopter for them to count.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

©2012 To Be Thode. All Rights Reserved.