Book Review: Since She Went Away by David Bell

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

I recently had the chance to review Since She Went Away by David Bell:

About the book:

Three months earlier, Jenna Barton was supposed to meet her lifelong best friend Celia. But when Jenna arrived late, she found that Celia had disappeared—and hasn’t been seen again. Jenna has blamed herself for her friend’s disappearance every single day since then.

The only piece of evidence is a lone diamond earring found where Celia and Jenna were planning to meet, leading the national media to dub Celia “The Diamond Mom.” And even though Jenna has obsessively surfed message boards devoted to missing persons cases, she is no closer to finding any answers—or easing her guilt.

But when her son’s new girlfriend—who suddenly arrived in town without a past—disappears, a stricken Jenna begins to unwind the tangled truth behind Celia’s tragedy. And as long-buried secrets finally come to light, she discovers how completely lives can be shattered by a few simple lies.

My thoughts:

Get ready for a thrilling page turner with Since She Went Away! With so many twists and turns, it's hard to put this one down and in the end, you'll still be shocked with how it plays out.  Since She Went Away is a fantastic summer read and if you are a fan of mystery/thrillers, you'll likely enjoy it!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Chewy.com June Pick: Nulo FreeStyle Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Adult Trim Dry Dog Food

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Chewy.com is your one-stop shop for all things cat and dog!  One of the fantastic products you can find at Chewy.com is from Nulo:

Nulo Freestyle Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Adult Trim Dry Dog Food

Staying fit and trim can be more challenging for some dogs. That’s why Nulo made the Nulo FreeStyle Adult Trim formula. This grain-free recipe of cod & lentils provides the protein and amino acids dogs need, but includes more fiber and less fat calories than the other recipes. And the addition of L-Carnitine supports the metabolism of fats. Great for all breeds and sizes that could use a little help becoming the dog they want to be.

Jessie has really been enjoying her Nulo FreeStyle dog food!  The main ingredient is cod, not filler and grains, which means a leaner, healthier pup with lots of energy!  I love finding great food that she loves and I know is good for her:)  

You can find Nulo FreeStyle Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Adult Trim Dry Dog Food at Chewy.com for $16.99 for a 4.5 lb bag.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Chewy.com June Pick: ZiwiPeak Good-Dog Beef Jerky Dog Treats

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Chewy.com is your one-stop shop for all things cat and dog!  One of the fantastic products you can find at Chewy.com is from ZiwiPeak:

ZiwiPeak Good-Dog Beef Jerky Dog Treats

ZiwiPeak ‘Daily-Dog’ Canned Cuisine is a premium pet food made from 100% natural, fresh, raw meat. The range has been formulated to meet the natural and instinctive nutritional needs of your dog – mirroring the diet it would enjoy in the wild.

Treats work on your dog’s digestion, energy, vitality, healthy coat and skin, reducing bad breath, stool volume and flatulence.

Jessie loves these treats!  They are little bits of beef jerky and are great to use as training treats or to put in her treat puzzles when we're away from the house.  I love giving her treats that I know are made from real ingredients that help to keep her healthy AND happy:)

You can find ZiwiPeak Good-Dog Beef Jerky Dog Treats at Chewy.com for $6.60 3 oz bag.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Eco-Cha Tea Delivery for Tea Aficionados!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

I love tea!  I drink it every day and I was super excited to try out an Oolong sampler from Eco-Cha:

Eco-Cha primarily sources Oolong Teas, but also offers what they see as the best black tea available. Eco-Cha supports the artisan tea industry in Taiwan and delivers hard-to-find Taiwanese Tea to it's customers in a variety of different product formats.

You can sign up for their monthly tea delivery service or buy single teas and tea products directly from their website.

About the Taiwan Tea Tour 5 Pack:

These five premium Taiwan Oolong teas are a complete experience of some of the best Oolong tea in the world. Covering a complete flavor and elevation spectrum, you will taste why Taiwan Oolong is considered the best in the world. You will experience the difference between unroasted, lightly roasted, and heavily roasted tea as well as tea from from multiple different mountains at both high and lower elevation. This is a complete spectrum of some of the finest Oolong tea in the world. Chicory, chestnut, nutty, honey, dried fruit, floral, buttery, and green. 

Included are 5 premium Taiwan Oolong Teas (38 grams each) and a description card for each tea including tasting notes, harvest information, brewing tips, and tea origin. Gift box.

I had a lot of fun sampling these rare and delicious teas!  If you are a tea lover, treat yourself to some quality tea luxury courtesy of Eco-Cha!

Click to shop Eco-Cha!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Squishy Summer Fun With Collectible TMNT Mash 'ems and More!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Just in time for the release of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, Tech4Kids has released a new line up of Mash 'Ems featuring your favorite TMNT charagters!  We got to review a couple of these guys along with My Little Pony Squishy Pops and Littlest Pet Shop Fash’Ems:

Mash'ems and Fash'ems are a highly collectible toy that all kids will love. Hidden inside capsules, they hold the thrill of a concealed mystery item. The colorful capsule doubles as carry case. 

Squishy Pops are cool too!  These little guys stick to so many surfaces with their suction cup bottom and the kiddos adore their little heart-shaped cases:

My kiddos loved this round of cool collectibles from Tech 4 Kids!  We scored our favorite turtle (Michelangelo, he's a party dude!) from TMNT, one of our favorite characters from Littlest Pet Shop (Pepper) and a rare Crystal Pony Fluttershy Squishy Pop!

These fun toys are an affordable way to start and grow a neat collection of popular character goodies:)

Twist, squeeze, squish and stick collectible fun with Mash'ems, Squishy Pops and Fash 'Ems!

Click to buy Mash'ems, Squishy Pops and Fash 'Ems

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

#AvoidTheOops With P&G Essentials from Walmart!

**This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Walmart. Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Summer is here and since we live on the coast that means lots of overnight visitors are headed our way for fun in the sand and on the water for the next few months.  I always like to be fully stocked up on household, bath and beauty essentials and cleaning supplies so that I can avoid wasting time with friends and family on runs to the store if we run out.  Luckily, I know I can “avoid the oops” by shopping at Walmart for P&G essentials!

Want to know how you can avoid the oops?  Of course you do!  No one likes that sinking feeling when you reach for something only to realize it’s all gone. Avoid those oops moments by stocking up at Walmart.com.  Save time and money with your shopping options.  Orders over $50 ship free!

When you have a trunk full of groceries and kiddos to wrangle, it can be tough carrying in those large, often bulky items that keep your hands full. But most shoppers don’t realize they have the option of shopping for the same great household essentials at Walmart’s everyday low prices on Walmart.com. And by doing so, you’ll also save time so you can enjoy more of that summer sunshine.

Check out what I got for just under $60 at Walmart.com:

The first step for preparing for summer guests is to get the house sparkling clean.  

My favorite products that help me do just that are from the Mr. Clean line: Magic Erasers and Multi Purpose Cleaning Solution.  The cleaning solution smells great and can cut through grease and grime like a pro.  Plus, you can use it pretty much anywhere, inside and out for fantastic results.  I'm convinced the Magic Eraser is just that.  Magic!  These nifty erasers are my go-to for hard to clean, stuck on messes on the stovetop and are fantastic for wiping down walls without damaging them.  Great results everytime!

Next up, getting sheets and towels smelling fresh with the help of Downy Unstopables!  My favorite scent is Lush and it helps to keep our linens smelling great for days and days.

Of course, it's always a good idea to stock up on paper products and two of my favorites are Bounty paper towels and Puffs With Lotion Tissues!  

Bounty towels are super strong and reliable, not to mention they are pretty:)  

Speaking of pretty, Puffs tissue box designs never disappoint and are a quick and easy way to bring functional color and style to any room.

Finally, since I don't want to be tied to my kitchen sink and miss out on quality time with my guests, I always make sure to have plenty of dishwasher tabs on hand.  these days, my favorite are Cascade Platinum ActionPacs.  No pre-wash needed and they clean stuck-on food in one wash, leaving my dishes sparkling!

So before your guests descend upon you this summer make sure to stock up on great P&G products so that you too, can Avoid the Oops!

Visit www.avoidtheoops.com for more information and to get shopping!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

OREO Churros: The Perfect Summer Treat!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Just in time for summer: OREO meets Churros - The Ultimate Mashup! America's Favorite Cookie is now available as a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate churro pastry. A crispy exterior, warm soft interior and real OREO cookie pieces in every bite give OREO Churros a just-baked Oreo taste.

OREO Churros are available in the frozen dessert section of most grocery stores. They're perfect for any snacking occasion and are easy to prepare. They bake in just minutes. There's even a crumb sugar topping to roll them in before serving!

These are super yummy!  The kiddos couldn't get enough of them:)  They are quick, easy and delicious.  What a great treat to curb that summer sweet tooth!

Check out Oreo Churros!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Parragon Books June Pick: Disney Pixar Finding Dory Ocean Secrets

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Parragon is one of the largest illustrated non-fiction publishers in the world. From great selections of Disney, Barbie, Monster High, Ever After High, Discovery Kids, Dora, TMNT, Sponge Bob to in-house favorites including Little Learners, Pinkabella, Dino Supersaurus, Glitterbelle, Life Canvas, Love Food and more, they make books affordable and accessible to readers all around the globe.  They also feature several fun book kits for all ages.

As part of the Book Buddies program, for June we received Disney Pixar Finding Dory Ocean Secrets:

 Follow Dory on her ocean adventure as she sets out to find her family. Meet the residents of the Marine Life Institute, draw a picture of your best pals, and choose what ocean creature you d like to be. There s so much to do and discover inside!

This is a fun fill-in-the-blank book that will really get your kiddos thinking.  It's the perfect book to inspire and encourage creative writing this summer.

It includes fun facts, quizzes, journal prompts and other activities and would be a fun complement to the movie.

My kiddos are really enjoying this cool book and your little Dory fans are sure to love it too!

Click to buy Parragon Books!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Book Review: Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

I recently had the chance to review Sunshine Beach by Wendy Wax:

About the book:

In this brand-new summer read by the USA Today bestselling author of The House on Mermaid Point, three women join forces to bring a historic seaside hotel back to life…

There’s nothing that a fresh coat of paint and a few glasses of wine can’t fix…

After losing their life savings in a Ponzi scheme, Maddie, Avery, and Nikki have banded together to make the most of what they have left, using their determination, ingenuity, guts, and a large dose of elbow grease. It’s Maddie’s daughter Kyra who stumbles across a once glorious beachfront hotel that has fallen into disrepair. The opportunity to renovate this seaside jewel is too good to pass up—especially when they come up with the idea of shooting their own independent television show about the restoration. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything. With the cameras rolling, Maddie’s second-chance romance with her all-too-famous new boyfriend gets complicated, Avery struggles with grief over the loss of her mother, and Nikki’s reluctance to commit to the man who loves her could leave her to face the biggest challenge of her life. Even the hotel seems to be against them, when their renovation uncovers a decades-old unsolved murder which just might bring their lives tumbling down all over again…

My thoughts:

The perfect book for your beach or pool bag this summer, Sunshine Beach will not disappoint!  The story is compelling and heartfelt, with a little Southern sass and comedic relief thrown in.  The element of mystery surrounding the renovation property keeps the reader engaged and the ladies complicated relationships are fun to follow as well.  You find yourself rooting for this great group of characters from page one.  Great writing that is perfect for summer!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Challenger Sports: British Soccer Camp @usfg

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

British Soccer Camp is the most popular camp in North America - 150,000 campers! With an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, British Soccer Camps provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert's right in the heart of their own community. In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun your child can have learning the sport they love!

7-year-old D got to try out Challenger's British Soccer Camp last week and he absolutely loved it!  Signing up was a breeze and because we signed up early, D got a free soccer jersey and water bottle.  The camp comes with a free t-shirt and soccer ball as well.  The coaches were energetic and entertaining for the entire week, which can sometimes be tricky in our super hot, super humid weather, so props to  them for their awesome attitudes!  

Every day, the 3-hour camp consisted of warm-ups, soccer drills and mini games within the similarly aged groups and then a group "storytime" where the older and younger kiddos got to combine for fun stories and jokes from the coaches.  After that the big group was divided into 4 teams and each day the teams played "World Cup" games.  D's team picked Brazil as their country name and each day they were given "homework" that encouraged them to learn more about their country and share with the group on the following day.  What a fun way to get the kiddos thinking and communicating!  Throughout the entire week the kiddos were given excellent instruction and plenty of praise to keep their spirits high.  Needless to say, D is already asking if we can sign him up for British Soccer Camp next year!  That's a sure sign of a great experience:)

Enroll you child in a British Soccer Camp today!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Keep Every Room in the House a Healthier Clean with Better Life Products!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

You may have heard of Better Life cleaning products or even seen them on ABC's hit show Shark Tank.  We recently got to try out some of the awesome products and were thrilled with the results!

Better Life’s goal is to make products that continue to challenge the way people think about natural cleaning – with more plant power, fewer warning labels, and formulas that are always safe for the mess makers.

Better Life products are free of unnecessary ingredients that may pose health risks for people, pets, marine life, and the planet. They’re packaged using solar energy and recyclable materials, with formulas that biodegrade two-to-five times faster than leading natural and conventional cleaners.  They are derived from natural plant products and scented naturally from botanical extracts.

We tried out the Shark Kit that includes every product demoed during the appearance on Shark Tank and is currently on sale for just $25!

Kit includes:

All-Purpose Cleaner, Clary Sage & Citrus (32oz)

Floor Cleaner, Citrus Mint (32oz)

Dish Soap, Lemon Mint (22oz)

Kitchen and Bath Scrubber (16oz)

General Purpose Microfiber Cloth

The products smell amazing and work wonders on tough dirt and grime.  They are safe for the whole family to use which means more helping hands come clean up time...gotta love that!  If you are looking for cleaning products that are healthy for your family and the environment, give Better Life a try!

Click to shop Better Life

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

ChefClubBox: Awesome Kid's Snack Subscription Box!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

Now that summer is here, I am always on the lookout for fun ideas for the kiddos.  They love getting mail and they were really excited to find a package from ChefClubBox waiting for them a few weeks ago:

The ChefClubBox is a premium snack delivery subscription providing healthy snacks for families on the go. 

 Our box was full of great tasting snacks, but that is not all.  It came with a calendar of the month of May's celebrated foods.

There were also activities, jokes and cool food facts that the kiddos really enjoyed.

Our box was packed full of awesome snacks and kitchen goodies:

Every Classic box will contain 10+ Healthy Snacks and a Kid Surprise, our May box also featured a Parent Surprise:

There was a ring of helpful recipes and exercises for the kids to try out as well.

With the Classic Box, you pay $35.99 (monthly subscription) with FREE SHIPPING in US nd you are guaranteed $35+ Value.

We loved our ChefClubBox and all of the goodies it contained!  We got to try out yummy new snacks and learned a little bit along the way.  It's the perfect fun activity for summer that the whole family can enjoy:)

Click to shop ChefClubBox!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

#ProtectClothesYouLove With Downy Fabric Conditioner

**This is a sponsored post from SheSpeaks/P&G.  Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

With all we do to protect our clothes, why not do something as simple as pour Downy Fabric Conditioner into every load of laundry? With the simple filling of a cap, you can say goodbye to stretching, fading, and pilling, giving your clothes a longer, happier life.

My favorite day is Clean Sheets Day and I love it even more now that we've added Downy Liquid Fabric Conditioner to our laundry routine.  The smell of our clean laundry freshens up the whole house and lingers for days!  Of course the biggest reason I love Downy is because it leaves our clothes and linens smelling absolutely ahhh-mazing, but it has some other really awesome benefits!

Downy protects clothes:

Instead of losing their shape, clothes bounce back to their store-bought form.

Colors stay true and resist fading.

Towels are protected from pilling and fuzz.

Fabrics are softened for added comfort.

Check out the science behind Downy Liquid Fabric Conditioner:

During a ride around the washing machine, garments pull stretch, and rub together. Downy conditions, strengthens, and lubricates each fiber to protect clothing from the friction, and agitation of typical washing cycle.

Here is another helpful tip for fabric protection:  

In addition to the protection Downy fabric conditioner offers, turning garments inside out, and washing soft fabrics like cotton on the gentle cycle will keep your clothes looking the best for years to come.

Want your laundry to smell and look great?

Downy Fabric Conditioner is available at Walmart and Walmart.com for everyday low prices. Learn more and shop for it here.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Hallmark Father's Day Gift Ideas + Giveaway! #LoveHallmark

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

With Father's Day coming up quickly, Hallmark has a great line of gifts that every father and grandfather are sure to love!

Check out a few of the gifts from the heartfelt Ken Sheldon collection and playful Life is Good® collection:

From Ken Sheldon:

 Love Shows the Way Decorative Tile 

Stir up fond memories with this decorative ceramic tile's image of a father and son walking hand-in-hand.

        

Raised On Love 6x8 Framed Art 

Add a sentimental touch to any décor with this framed print of a father teaching his baby to walk. Perfect for you or someone you love who knows the delicate balance of holding on and letting go.

 From Life Is Good®:

Life is Good® Mug 

No one deserves to kick back with a nice cup of joe more than dad. This mug is perfect for Father's Day to show your appreciation for all his hard work.

Life is Good® Loved, Plain and Simple Multi-opening Picture Frame

When you can't choose just one… This frame has three slots for favorite photos that show the love, along with a simple, heartfelt sentiment.

Whether your dad is the sentimental type or more practical, Hallmark has a variety of great gift ideas that are sure to make any dad smile!

One lucky reader will win a Father's Day Gift Pack from Hallmark!  Enter below:

Crazy Cups June Flavor: Cinnamon Churro Single Serve Cups + Giveaway!

**Complimentary products received in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are ours and ours alone**

As an ambassador for Crazy Cups, I get to review a different flavor of single serve coffee cups each month.  The flavor for June is Cinnamon Churro:

Crazy Cups are single serve cups that contain 13 grams of coffee in each cup for a flavorful cup of coffee.  They are compatible with all Keurig K Cups® Pods brewers and other single serve machines as well.   We use an iCoffee brewer and they fit perfectly.  Crazy Cups are gluten-free, nut-free, and contain no calories.  The cups use cool-peel-recycle technology, making them recyclable after use.  We peel ours back once they're cool, toss the grounds into our compost bin and recycle the cups, easy peasy and eco-friendly.

Flavor description:

It’s coffee with the taste of just-fried dough, rolled in cinnamon and sugar. ¡Aye Carumba!

Our thoughts:

Yummo!  We love cinnamon, so I was pretty sure we'd enjoy this flavor of Crazy Cups, and boy was I right!  This medium roast coffee smells and tastes absolutely fabulous.  If you love coffee and churros, you will probably love Cinnamon Churro Crazy Cups!

Click to shop Crazy Cups!

One lucky reader will win a box of Cinnamon Churro Crazy Cups!  Enter below: