Mat Kearney "Young Love" {Review}

I have 3 young children - my oldest is 8, and then I have the 3 year old twins. We have been fully ensconced in music by the Wiggles, Laurie Berkner and Ralph for so many years that I don't even know what is "popular" any more!

One of my goals is to start introducing my children to more varieties of music, I have been rather weary of this given some of the language and content of many popular songs these days.  Since my oldest does know of the popular songs and does hear them through school/friends, I feel I need to know what she's listening to and get to know the different artists for both of our sakes.

Having an opportunity, through One2One Network, to review Mat Kearney's Young Love could not have come at a better time.  I have to say that not only do I love this CD but my kids do too!  My 3 year old's especially love this CD (they tend to want to hear something they like over and over again), my 8 year old is getting a little worn out from it but still engages in the music when it is on.

The songs have a great beat, #1 Hey Mama, #2 Ships In The Night and #5 Chasing The Light are the real popular sections my children and I enjoy - although I don't think there is a bad song on the CD.  All my kids clap to the first song and all know and sing the words to the rest.

There are little snippets of the songs you can listen to and purchase at Mat Keaney's iTunes site.  Also, if you go the Mat Kearney's Facebook page you can see the video for Hey Mama!  Also, feel free to visit Mat Kearney's website for even more information - including locations and dates of where he will be playing live.

A big thank you to One2One Network for making this review possible. Although I did receive a copy of the CD Mat Kearney Young Love and all opinions shared are 100% mine and honest.

Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda {Book Review}

Recently I received a copy of the book Here, Home, Hope from the One2OneNetwork to review.  I was excited to get to get a chance to read this book

Kelly Mills Johnson, who just had a cancer scare, is 39, married to a very successful attorney and has 2 sons. She lives in an upper class community and, by all standards, has the perfect life. But Kelly feels restless; like something is missing…she is going through her own mid-life crisis.

Kelly's sons are gone at their yearly summer camp, and as usual, she is having a difficult time without them. She lives to the next time she can talk to them for their weekly call, and is gaining weight - something she does every summer when they are gone and. And since they will both be starting middle school this year, she is wondering what she will be doing to fill her days.

Kelly’s two best friends are both beautiful and successful, and she is somewhat envious of them “having it all”. Although, It is also the kick start Kelly needs to start making changes in her own life. She starts by making little post-it notes called “things to change” all over her house and car. Then things get interesting in Kelly’s life when a combination of things happen, including being asked to help a friends anorexic daughter. During all these events in her life, Kelly is growing and becoming empowered by her own blend of home and career.

I felt Here, Home, Hope was a pleasure to read. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this story – but as it turns out, it is a story of inspiration and empowerment. I also love how well the relationships of Kelly with others are portrayed especially with her husband, one of support and of just “getting” her.

I found the main character’s in this book so easy to relate to and very inspirational in their own right. I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoy books of inspiration and motivation.

Here are what some author's are saying about Here, Home, Hope:

"Endearingly honest, consistently upbeat, Here, Home, Hope is an inspiring read that left me feeling genuinely hopeful."
— Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers, and one of Oprah’s Thirty Favorite Women Writers

"I found Kaira Rouda’s debut novel, Here, Home, Hope, inspiring, empowering and fun to read. You’ll want to share it with the women you care about in your life."
— Roma Downey, actress/producer

"I loved Kaira Rouda’s book. I love its irony and its courage and humor. . . . It’s the real thing." — Jacquelyn Mitchard, bestselling author of Still Summer and The Deep End of the Ocean

Lean more about the author, Kaira Rouda, by visiting her site. Also, see when Kaira will be in a city near you for a book signing!

You can check out a cute video about this book below: 

I received this book free from the publisher through One2One Network bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. - to read more click here.

Yanni: Truth of Touch {Music Review}

It seems it's been quite sometime since I've listened to "adult" music.  Since having children we tend to listen to a lot of Laurie Berkner and Ralph music!  That's why I was excited to get the opportunity through One2One Network to review Yanni's new CD Truth Of Touch. 

This is Yanni's first instrumental release of original compositions in over eight years and is the return to the genre Yanni helped create and advance.  As he describes the new material: “There is a beautiful complexity in these rhythms, a new sound design. I think the melodic content is very strong and very memorable. I was having fun with this album and that’s going to become apparent.”

This could not have been a better day to put Yanni on.  I've had a killer migraine all day and listening to Yanni just took me somewhere peaceful and relaxing.  He has done an amazing job of creating an instrumental CD that keeps you wanting to hear more.  Each song has its own uniqueness. My favorites are Flash of Color and Nine.  These two songs are complete opposites of each other...one being more slow paced and carrying you away to a peaceful place - the other a faster paced melody.

Also, although this is an instrumental CD two of the songs on the track do have vocals - Can't Wait and Secrets.  Both are beautiful songs, the vocals just add another level of interest.


On March 22, Yanni launched a 40-date tour of the US. The tour will take him through theaters in major cities across the US including Radio City Music Hall in NYC and the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. You can see if he's going to have a concert near you by visiting his website.  Unfortunately he won't be in the Midwest or else I would be going!

I received a copy of Yanni Truth of Touch CD from One 2 One Network to facilitate this review. By posting this review by April 8, 2011 I am eligible to win a Visa Gift Card. No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

CMT's "Working Class" Review

It has been a long time since I've seen a TV show that is just a good, clean family-oriented show.  Through One2One Network I was given the opportunity to review the series premiere of CMT's very first scripted sitcom "Working Class" starring TV veteran Melissa Peterman ("Reba") and Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Ed Asner.  The premiere will air on January 28 at 8 pm EST/PST, followed by a second, all-new episode at 8:30 pm. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this show!  It just reminded of the good, cute shows that were on when I grew up - not about crime investigation, a hospital, or a reality show.  Not that I honestly don't enjoy some of those shows, but there are just so many of them now.  It seems that I was just talking to someone about this recently - the shows that are on today are so different then those that I grew up with - "Happy Days", "LaVerne and Shirley"...well you get the point.  When you have kids who are getting to the stage of watching a little older TV, I've found there is not a whole out there that I find appropriate.  I would definitely recommend watching this show. 

The Premiere episode, "The Buddy System" is the episode I had the opportunity to review which was about Carli's (Melissa Peterman) old flame from high school showing up, looking better then ever, hoping to re-ignite a spark with Carli - which gets a little humiliating at her place of work.  Ed Asner's role is a co-worker of Carli's.  A lot of comedy - and really just clean fun.



I really enjoyed seeing Ed Asner again, and yes I was a Mary Tyler Moore Show fan.  :-)  


Make sure you tune in on CMT on January 28th to see the double feature premiere of "Working Class" at 8 pm EST/PST, I honestly don't think you will be disappointed.

Pair Savvy - IPhone and Android Phone App Review

Thank you One2One Network and Pair Savvy for giving me the opportunity to review this awesome App! :)

So do you like cheese...I mean REALLY like cheese?? Do you enjoy eating cheese and crackers with a cold or room temperature beverage like beer or wine? Ever wondered what cheese would go best with your favorite beverage? Well, Pair Savvy has now done all the work for you!

Thanks to the new App Pair Savvy the guess work has been taken care of for you. Put in your choice of beer or wine and the application will tell which cheese goes best with that drink. You can search by cheese, beer or wine. California cheese makers make more than 250 varieties and styles of Real California Cheese, everything from bandage wrapped Cheddar to award-winning Brie.

Some pairings even suggest fruit accompaniments, which is great when putting together a cheese plate or display. Users can also save pairings and rate the pairings they have tried. There’s even a “Surprise Pairing” option for the more daring at heart.

To add this App to your Android - just go to the Android Marketplace and search "Pair Savvy" then download for free.

To add this App to your IPhone - visit the App Store, search for “Pair Savvy” then download for free (available soon).

Better yet, Pair Savvy is linked to RealCaliforniaMilk.com so the app will update automatically with no need to download future updated versions.

I am having some friends over Wednesday for a Gold Party and I am really looking forward to going to the store to pick up some wine and pair it with some yummy cheese!

Although this review was done on behalf of One2One Network for Pair Savvy the thoughts and opinions are strictly mine.

Book Review - Adopted Ed

I am pleased to have been chosen by the One2One Network to review Adopted Ed by Darren Maddern.  Although none of our children are adopted, our twins were conceived using donor eggs...so at some point an explanation will be necessary.  This book review is in celebration of November's National Adoption Month

Adopted Ed is a simple, and beautifully written children's book with many powerful messages on social pressure and acceptance.

It is based on a little boy named Eddie who is just like every other little boy until some bullies started teasing him about being adopted.  Eddie then talks to his mom about what is being said and she in turn offers words of wisdom and very simple advise which then allows him to deal with the situation and give him the self-confidence he needs.
Read more »