@Ascending1 Monthly #Book Club - July #Giveaway: Enter to #win Pancho Land by @Raul_Ramos

No monetary compensation has been received to host this giveaway, full disclosure below:

Butterflies I apologize for the hiatus, but our book club is back just in time for summer, because this is the season where my best reading gets done! Whether it's in the airport lounge, on the plane or beach/pool side I always bring something along to read. And not to knock the 'e-reader' craze, but I still prefer real books. Hard Cover preferably, but even soft covers still have their appeal. Much like music, I still get excited by holding a new CD in my hand, despite having a portable MP3 Player and various services that I love including iTunes and Spotify. There is just something exciting about holding that book in my hand. Like some love their soaps and shows, that's how I feel about books, I can't wait to see where the author will transport me.

We are stoked to have the Monthly Book Club return with Pancho Land by Raul Ramos Y Sanchez!

The author's name should sound familiar to loyal Ascending Butterfly readers, this book is the third in a trilogy of books, and we reviewed the first book in the series (called America Libre) HERE.

I have to start by assuaging a fear I'm sure most of you share with me, starting with a third book in a popular trilogy, but you don't have to worry about that with this book, it does stand alone if you are starting with this book, but the author also weaves in the back story so well that readers of the entire trilogy won't get bored, but new readers get an understanding of the characters and their back stories.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but I will say that after reading the end of the trilogy, you are going to be amazed at what happens with the characters. The trilogy centers around a family, a family that experiences incredible blows, incredible lows and incredible highs too. It really is the journey butterflies, not the final destination that matters.

Raul is a skilled writer and you can't help but find yourself invested in the family that is at the center of the books. I can totally see this trilogy becoming a movie! (and like every armchair reader I have strong casting ideas on the roles too!)

While you will see this in the rafflecopter widget below when you enter, I wanted to let readers know that if you "Like" the Class H Trilogy Page on Facebook you will be automatically entered each month in a drawing for a signed and dedicated copy of Pancho Land, America Libre or House Divided! Don't you love having not just one shot at winning but TWO shots at winning? I know I do! Not to mention you can get PDF quick peeks of a chapter in the books as well.

Get Social With It:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - "Like" the Class H Trilogy Page on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Follow @Raul_Ramos on Twitter

Remember you get extra credit in the giveaway for social follows so be sure to get your entries

WIN IT: 

One lucky Ascending Butterfly reader can win a copy as well (and based on availability of course) the author will try his best to provide either a physical copy or an electronic copy, winners choice!

Enter using the Rafflecopter Widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, the sponsor is fulfilling to the giveaway winner. All opinions are 100% my own. Neither Ascending Butterfly or our giveaway sponsors will be held responsible for late, lost or mis-directed mail. See our Full Disclosure page for any questions or concerns.

Alison Sweeney (@Ali_Sweeney) 'the star attraction' #Book Signing Event @makemeaningUSA cc @GabrielasNYC #thestarattractionmamarazzi

Alison Sweeney at 'the star attraction' book signing event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

I have a special (Not Entirely Wordless), Wordless Wednesday Edition this week! I just got back from the City from a super fun book signing and thought I'd share my photos with you!

It's no shocker I'm a Soap Opera Fan (I'm pretty sure the General Hospital Blogger Campaign, and my recent posts on behalf of All My Children and One Life to Live coming back online were a huge tip off), and today I got the chance to attend a Book Signing Event for Alison Sweeney's new book 'the star attraction'.

Alison Sweeney has portrayed the character 'Sami Brady' since she was 16 years old on the NBC hit daytime drama Days of our Lives, and is also the host of NBC's reality series The Biggest Loser. She is also the Author of 'The Mommy Diet' and she has penned another book titled 'the star attraction'.

The new book 'the star attraction' was released yesterday by Hyperion Books, and is about a Hollywood Publicist who scores her PR firm's most important actor client, and after a steamy make out session in a restaurant alley with her big name client, lines start to blur and one woman's daytime soap comes to life.

Sounds 'Tres Steamy' to me and I can't wait to read it! I'm thinking a day at the beach, a pina colada, me and this book have a date soon!

Here are some more pictures from the Book Signing Today:

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, Right: Melissa Musen Gerstein, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: Mama Butterfly, Right: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

Left: It's ME! Ascending Butterfly, Right: Actress/Author Alison Sweeney, at 'the star attraction' book signing MAMARAZZI event at the Make Meaning Store in New York City

My Take:

The Moms always take the time to really put thought into their events, the lunch was catered by Gabriela's Restaurant in New York City who put out a wonderful spread, and the Make Meaning Store where the event was held is a space in New York City where you can do crafts (and there is even a 'Wine' night, so I definitely need to go back there and create something fun and kick back with a glass of wine!).

In addition to the lunch and book signing where we got to meet Alison, she also answered questions from the audience and spoke about the difficulties of the work/life balance, and how important it is to truly love what you do. When you love what you do and are excited by it, your children will feel that. You do need to be professionally fulfilled, but if it's not at something you love doing it makes staying energetic for them AND for you, that much harder!

Mama Butterfly asked Alison about her weight struggles and how it was handled by the producers of Days of Our Lives, and Alison said that the Producers were always behind her, but she did read negative comments throughout the years, and that brought me right back to the Strong Moms Empowerment Summit and how important it is not just for press (print or digital) but for all moms to be supportive of each other! Alison was super down to earth and it was a pleasure meeting her! As Mama Butterfly is the one who got me hooked on 'Soaps' on my very first sick day from school as a pre-teen, it was only fitting somehow that we attended this event together!

I will post a full review of the book once I have read it (and I'll try to reach out to publisher and see if they'd like to host a giveaway in an upcoming Ascending Butterfly Book Club, hopefully for the summer as this looks like a great summer read!). I will also create a Pinterest Board for this event on Ascending Butterfly's Pinterest Page!

Here is the video from the Questions and Answers Session:

Video credit: Fredy Mfuko, Mission 101 Media

You can nab the book at a great price below:

What are you reading right now Butterfly?

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. No monetary compensation has been received to share our recap coverage of this event. A meet and greet and signed book were provided for editorial consideration, however all opinions are 100% my own! The book banner is an affiliate link.

Like Free Gift Giveaways? Looking for Creative Solutions to Refresh Your Space? Then by all means Read on!

                                                             

You know how much Ascending Butterfly loves Empowerment and Life Improvement, and when something combines BOTH + Free Giveaways it's a total win/win in my book! The folks at Family Circle and Ikea are presenting 'Ikea Life Improvement Store Seminars' in two of their locations this weekend with Celebrity Designer Stephen Saint-Onge! Stephen will provide Creative Tips and Techniques on how to refresh and update your kitchen, plus event attendees will receive FREE Gift Giveaways! (I think this qualifies as awesomesauce + amazeballs combined). I don't know about you butterfly, but my kitchen definitely needs some help! Whether you have a super spacious kitchen and need a few how-to's or a super cramped space and can't figure out how to organize it, this event will certainly get you inspired and motivated!

Here is the skinny/Event Details:

Date: Saturday, April 20th

Time: 1:00 pm

Place: IKEA Paramus, 100 IKEA Drive, Paramus, New Jersey

and the Second Seminar:

Date: Sunday, April 21st

Time: 1:00 pm

Place: IKEA Elizabeth, 1000 IKEA Drive, Elizabeth, New Jersey






About Stephen:

Designer, Photographer, and Dad Stephen Saint-Onge, (known as "Designer Dad"), Author of Book 'No Place Like Home: Tips & Techniques for real family-friendly home design', is the Contributing Home Editor for Family Circle Magazine and FamilyCircle.com. He firmly believes that "good design has the power to change lives."

If you want to order the book and have it shipped straight to you so you don't have to carry anything extra that day order it here:

He has become to the 'go-to' expert on home and family-focused lifestyle in magazines such as Better Homes and Gardens, Cottage Living, House Beautiful, Elle Decor and has appeared on television programs such as Oprah, The View, The Today Show, The Early Show, TLC and CNN.

And this weekend you get the power of his expertise to help you to refresh your own space!

And before you say 'but Butterfly, I don't live in New Jersey', if you are anywhere Tri-State Central, check this out:

FREE BUSES: There is Free Shuttle Bus Service from Manhattan to and from the IKEA in Elizabeth New Jersey on Saturdays and Sundays! The Shuttles operate ouf of the Port Authority Terminal located in New York City at Eighth Avenue and 42nd Street. (You can take an MTA train to Times Square and walk to Port Authority).

Buses will depart from Gate #5 on the lower concourse near Academy Bus Line and the bus Departures are on the half hour with service available on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 am - 2:30 pm. Return trips are also on the half hour with service available from noon to 6:00 pm!

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @Ikea_Usa on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @FamilyCircle on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like IKEA USA on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Like Family Circle Magazine on Facebook

My Take:

What a great way to get your home ready for Spring at either one of these super fun events! My kitchen is small and pretty cramped, and since I can't change spaces right now, any help in getting mine to look less cluttered would be super helpful to me!

Any NYC based bloggers going and interested in meeting up? Let me know!

Any Butterflies that do attend, please come back here and share what you learn!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are 100% my own and I like to share about improvement and empowerment information that I feel will be beneficial to my readers!