In honor of my birthday and Mother's Day being in May and in honor of all kinds of wonderful moms and spring flowers and dreaming of all things summer, I present to you . . .
Let's get started about the prizes, okay? First of all, there are eight best-selling books:
I'll start with the two most hilarious books ever that I just finished. The first one is called I Heart My Little A-Holes by Karen Alpert of Baby Sideburns fame. Now, many of us would never pick up a book that calls our children "a-holes" right on the cover, would we? Well, let me tell you that you would be missing out. According to Karen, "kids suck . . .but they're awesome, too." She knows you can go other places to hear all the good stuff about raising kids, so she shares with her readers the hilarious, pee-your-pants laughing, honest, messy, scary, shocking, and brutal side of parenting. She also touches on tough topics such as postpartum depression, but she does so with such humor, you feel like you're talking to that one best friend that we all have who, no matter how awful your day is, will always make you laugh! I read the first two chapters of this book aloud to my sister and my nephew's girlfriend (both moms), and they were crying laughing.
The second book I just finished is called Ketchup is a Vegetable and Other Lies Moms Tell Themselves. <-----Don't you love that title? We all do it. We all tell ourselves things are true just because we want them to be. It is authored by Robin O'Bryant of the blog Robin's Chicks. She is a definite Southern lady who is certainly not afraid to speak her mind. She had three girls in four years; and though the things she writes about aren't always pretty, they are definitely real. My favorite chapter of this book has to be "Fire the Ho." It describes in perfect detail the kind of day we have all had - what could possibly go wrong does, and while you're putting out those fires, more are cropping up all around you. Robin makes you feel like you are not alone. If you really need to feel supported, go straight to chapter 30: The Birds and the Bees. It will make you squirm and laugh simultaneously.
Next comes the power duo from the brilliant mind of Jen from People I Want to Punch in the Throat, I Just Want to Pee Alone and I Just Want to Be Alone. The former is a book of hilarious essays about motherhood from some Kick Ass Mom Bloggers. You can read my review here. The latter is a collection of funny stories about significant others written by some Super Cool Lady Writers (one of them is me!). You can find my review of that here.
Next yet is another hilarious anthology from some women bloggers called You Have Lipstick on Your Teeth. It comes to you from the same people who run In the Powder Room, a website devoted to telling you the things that only your girlfriends would tell you. It contains all the "OMG - you too?!" things that girlfriends share over a little lipstick and hair primping in the bathroom. This copy is signed by one of the book's contributors, the brilliant Bethany Thies of Bad Parenting Moments.
The next book is one that I have given as a gift to my pregnant niece. It's called At Least My Belly Hides My Cankles: Mostly True Tales of an Impending Miracle by Paige Kellerman. Paige's dry wit never fails to completely crack me up, especially as she is taking us through her surprise first pregnancy. I think my favorite chapter is called "Zombies and Harlots" about how Halloween can still be loads of fun for a pregnant woman (<-----that's sarcasm).
Do you know a mom who drinks too much and swears too much? I do. Her name is Nicole Knepper, and she writes a blog called Moms Who Drink and Swear. The thing is, despite the tough exterior, she adores her kids, has a heart of pure gold, and a wicked intelligent mind to match. Her book covers topics such as why family dinners are like herpes and how relieved she was when her kid finally "offed" his imaginary friend. Her book is called Moms Who Drink and Swear: True Tales of Loving My Kids While Losing My Mind.
The next book comes from a writer I have admired for a long time, Kim Bongiorno of Let Me Start By Saying. I was drawn in by her humor, and stayed for her compelling fiction. She has written a collection of short stories called Part of My World. I think I finished this book in about one day. Once one story was over, I couldn't wait for the next one. She explores such themes as love, passion, fear, and hope.
So I had this idea that since there are eight books, you and three of your friends could have a summer book club and each read and review two of the books. And what do you need at book club? Wine! No, I'm not giving away wine (note to self: find out how to give away wine), but I am giving away a set of four "Living the mini-van dream" coasters and beach-themed wine charms. We can't be stealing each other's wine, can we?
AND just because you don't want your husband on your back for drinking wine, losing yourself in hilarious and engaging books, and laughing with your girlfriends until midnight, here's a little something to keep HIM company, a book called Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die. This book has gorgeous pictures and recommendations from some of the country's best fly-fishing experts. Even if he doesn't fly fish, you'll catch him standing in the yard practicing the back and forth motion of "the contemplative man's recreation."
AND because your child needs something to do while you are lost in your books, I am giving away a darling, handmade toy pony from Woolies, the Etsy store that is my new blog sponsor. The store sells handmade, natural, and eco-friendly toys. The reviews are in, and people love Woolies! Shop owner Sara is offering a pony with an ivory body, and a mane and tail in the winner's color of choice.
And finally, because spring is all about beauty, I'm throwing in a $25 gift card to Sephora! Woot! (Sephora did not sponsor this giveaway.)
Whew, that's it - eight books, four coasters and wine tags, 50 places to fly fish, $25 to Sephora, one adorable pony, and a partridge in a pear tree. Wait, no, not the bird and the tree, just the other stuff. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below - good luck!!
The contest runs from 12:00 p.m. Monday, May 5th to 12:00 p.m. Monday, May 12th and is only open to U.S. residents. Winner will be notified via e-mail and prizes will be sent to the address provided by the winner. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
