Monday, February 11, 2013

Fiery Hot Reads For Icy Cold Nights ~ Recalled by Cambria Hebert Giveaway!

Cambria Hebert

Thanks to Rainy Day Ramblings, Christy's Love of Books, Mostly Reviews, The Caffeinated Reviewer, & Cambria Hebert for hosting this awesome event! This is my second post participating!

Fiery Hot Reads For Icy Cold Nights is a five week long event where bloggers will be featuring books with great romances and giving them away! 
A great chance to discover new authors and win some books to keep you warm during the winter nights. 

You can see the full schedule HERE

Today I am excited to feature a guest post from one of the awesome hosts of this event, Cambria Hebert, who has a new book coming out February 15th! She will be discussing horrible Valentine's Day gifts and also giving away an eBook copy of her book!




Top 5 worst gifts to give on Valentine’s Day.


Never fear I have come to save you from making a mistake that will ruin your life. Forever.
I have brought with me today the Top 5 Worst Valentine’s Day gifts you could give. So take note and save yourself years of heartache and pain!!!
Hey, I’m a writer, being dramatic is what I do. 
Anyway, before I give you my list of bad gifts let me give you a little statistics about how American’s spend and how much during this holiday of love.
According to American Greetings, the following statistics are typical:
  • Men spend more than women, averaging 158 dollars.
  • Women spend an average of 85 dollars on their loved ones.
  • The main consumers of Valentine's Day merchandise are between 25 and 34, with each spending an average of 164 dollars.
  • Second in line are consumers between 18 and 24, with each averaging 143 dollars.
  • Last are consumers between 45 and 54, with each spending approximately 108 dollars on holiday related purchases.
As for consumers over 54, no statistics were available, but they, too, most assuredly spent their fair share on tokens of affection for loved ones on Valentine’s Day.”
(Note: this info was found at http://suite101.com/article/the-most-popular-valentines-day-gifts-a190591) 

That’s actually more money than I thought. What about you?
Now that you know how much you will likely spend let me tell you what NOT to buy.


Top 5 Worst gifts to give on Valentine’s Day
  1. A coupon for any kind of Love (example: a hug, a kiss, a backrub) – this might be thoughtful but we both know it’s going to end up forgotten about and in the trash. 


(image found at http://shine.yahoo.com/valentines-day/the-worst-valentines-day-gifts-ever-2010-edition-637833.html)

  1. Breath Mints. These are NOT considered candy. In fact if you were to give them to someone expect to never get kissed again.


(image found at http://www.universalcompanies.com/_resources/_global/media/resized/00011/ihwx.80788532-8783-48aa-9161-abf7c15acee9.1320.1320.jpg)

  1. Funeral Arrangements. Need I say more???



  1. This sweatshirt. Wrong on so many levels.

  1. A date here. 




And so take my advice. DO NOT spend any of your hard earned money on any of these items. You will thank me later. And listen, when in doubt, just buy her flowers.


Don’t forget to check out Cambria’s newest release, Recalled, which is releasing on February 15th and will be at a special Release day price – 99 cents! - for a limited time only! 

Love or Death? A simple question really. The choice seems obvious. But. What if you never knew love, what if your life was spent just trying to survive? What if you knew your fate before you were fully grown?
And then you died.
And you were given another chance. A better chance.
This new life depended upon one thing: your job. And so you agreed. You thought it would be simple. You thought it would be cut and dry.
It never is.
And now you are left holding the fate of someone else in the palm of your hand and you have to make the ultimate choice.
Love or Death?

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series and the upcoming Death Escorts series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Cambria website: http://www.cambriahebert.com

 
~Giveaway~
 Open INT
One eBook copy of Recalled (will release on Feb 15th) 
One Recalled Swag pack that consists of: 
One Large Magnet 
Signed Bookmarks (2) 
A sticky Notepad 
One Recalled Pen 
One Recalled Sticker

80 comments:

  1. Bwhahahaha! That was a hilarious post!
    Okay, worst gift? Hmm . . . when I was in high school you could purchase a rose to be sent to your Valentine in the middle of class. One year they decided to introduce weeds. You could purchase a weed for the people you disliked, cause that's not psychologically damaging in any way, right? Anyway, after one girl was set to receive more than fifty weeds the teachers pulled the idea before they could go out, still unsure who the faculty genius was that approved it in the first place, but there you go. So a weed is probably the WORST gift you could ever receive on Valentine's, though that Sweat-Heart Sweet Shirt comes pretty close! ;)
    Thanks for the yummy giveaway, Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had the same thing at my school all the time. Valentine grams. You could send chocolates or roses. Of course my friends and I sent each other chocolates and signed it "From your secret admirer" so that we would look COOL! LOL But that weed idea is horrible! That is straight up bullying that was approved by teachers?!?!?!??! WTF!!!!

      Delete
    2. It's pretty darn atrocious, isn't it?
      I mean, bullying wasn't such a high priority back then (wow that makes me sound old! O_O this is going back about 15 years, so I guess I am old!) it happened, but it wasn't as talked about as it is nowadays. I still can't for the life of me see how the teachers that approved that thought it was a sane and safe idea!? Seriously?!

      We did much the same thing as you, sent each of our friends a rose so that everyone received one! These days I'm lucky if my hubby and I remember it's Valentine's day at all! ;)

      Delete
    3. I'm plenty old too! lol I graduated high school 10 years ago this year! But still teachers didn't stand for people picking on each other like that. Sending a weed would not have been allowed!

      Delete
  2. OMG funeral arrangements?! If my boyfriend got me that, he might need it sooner than he thought!

    I don't really remember getting bad gifts, most of the time it was books and flowers. In high school the guys in my class decided to surprise the girls and got us all tiny stuffed teddy bears. I have no idea where they got those, but they were swarming with some sort of bugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah that funeral arrangements thing is really stretching it trying to get any business they can!!! LMAO!!!

      Flowers are the safe route! Stuffed bears swarming with bugs?!?! That is suspicious!!!

      Delete
  3. I really loved this read so I am so excited to see it picked for the Hop! Cambria is so talented!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't wait to read this one too! The cover rocks! I love purple <3

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Yeah especially if it is the sweet-heart sweet-shirt! LOL

      Delete
  5. The worst gift?? hmm. I'll have to go with perfume. To me a perfume means that you don't like how the person you're giving a perfume smells, so yeah. I know I have a weird opinion a giving perfumes to somebody, xD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel you. Also I am really picky about smells and I know others are so unless I hear someone say what they wear I don't try to gift them perfume or cologne.

      Delete
  6. Bahahah I totally want that sweatshirt!! Also, I've never been to White Castle or really know what it is--don't laugh at me I'm Canadian lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have you seen Harold & Kumar go to White Castle??! It's hilarious. It's just a burger fast food joint. No fast for for a V-Day dinner! LOL

      Delete
  7. Too funny and that sweatshirt is so funny! Personally if you don't know me well enough to know what I like...eek don't buy anything!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I'd rather get nothing that something insulting I'll never use. LOL

      Delete
  8. OMG that sweatshirt is awesome!! I like White Castle's burgers, but I agree, probably not the best choice for V-day. Dying over the funeral arrangements. Honestly, I would be happy with a bottle of wine and some good dark chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think simple gifts are the best. Just make me some dinner and get some dessert and champagne or light a few candles.

      Delete
  9. A candy I HATE!!!! from someone that was supposed to know I hated that :O

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Figures! I swear men never remember things like what candy we don't eat.

      Delete
  10. I am not a big chocolate fan, so definately don't want that. I think another bad gift is the coupons, and the sweatshirt is hideous.
    I want a gift card for books or some flowers. Jewerly is great also.
    christinebails at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Flowers and jewelry is always a safe bet I think.

      Delete
  11. Hmm... I haven't gotton much for Valentine's Day yet, and I can't say I made a bad experience so far. But the worst I can think of is chocolate bathing essence. I love to soak in the tub, but I hate choco skin products of all kinds, because that smell is just aweful.
    Btw, that giveaway is great since it gives a swag outside the US. I've been blogging for a year and haven't seen one up til today. Thanks a lot. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't had many V-Day's with boyfriends either. I got dinner once and that was about it. We got into a huge fight the night before too so the whole night was ruined. I agree about the chocolate bath stuff. My aunt got me some chocolate bubble bath but it looks like poo and smells funky too! LOL

      Delete
  12. LOL Great post!!! I'd have to say the worst gift you can get is something that you would never obviously like by someone who is supposed to know you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that is why sometimes there can be so much pressure buying gifts because it is almost like a test! When in doubt go simple and sweet I say. Plan something nice.

      Delete
  13. Thanks for the fun post! Ummm... I got roses once where when I opened the box, the petals had completely fallen off and it was all stem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. awww whoever sent them should get their money back!

      Delete
  14. OMG>>> the funeral arrangement. I can't even believe that someone would think that was a good idea for a Valentine's Day gift. It reminds me of commercials I saw last year advising men to call up and schedule a Pap smear for the woman they loved. Hmm the worst VD gift ever... nothing when my husband forgot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww forgetting sucks. I think I saw the pap commercial!!! LMAO! It sounded all wrong but I get that they were trying to get everyone aware of cancer and everything but yeah I don't think I want someone scheduling my appointment!!!!

      Delete
  15. I loved this post! I was actually wondering what to get my husband. This does not help me at all. lol

    Thanks for the fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is hard sometimes to come up with gifts. Maybe plan a romantic dinner? I'm always plenty happy with that myself. I don't really like to go out to eat because it is always sooo busy!

      Delete
  16. What is the worst Valentine's Day gift you ever received? Or what is the worst gift you can think of?

    Pots or Pans
    OR
    A vacumm
    OR
    Anything that is to do with clean or household work ...
    OR
    Dying plant (yes this was given to me once)

    Those can be the worse things someone can give to someone

    BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vacuum or anything to do with housework is a big no no. Also anything to do with working out! Like a gym membership or treadmill. My friend got a treadmill for her birthday and I was offended for her even though she said she asked for it LOL!

      Delete
  17. I laughed so hard at this post!
    Yes, my school had the dreaded CandyGrams too. I always hoped to get one, and then usually didn't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too!!! When the delivery person came in I'd be like maybe this is the year I'll have a secret admirer! LOL Never did. But to make ourselves feel better my friends and I would always send ones to each other. Eventually we started wearing all black and growled at all the girls carrying around a million balloons, stuffed animals and flowers. Like really?!?! Can't they give them to you after school?!?! Make us losers less depressed!

      Delete
  18. I haven't really gotten anything for Valentines Day. I've gotten some chocolate and stuff. You can't go wrong with chocolate!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chocolate is a good choice! Although there are some flavors I wouldn't like so I think you still need a little bit of insight into the person you are buying for.

      Delete
  19. The worst Valentines gift would be no acknowledgement of your love...I don't require gifts of any kind...a simple "i love you " is great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww sweet! Yes I think the most important part is just appreciating and spending time with loved ones: friends, family or boyfriends.

      Delete
  20. LOL, the funeral arrangements one is hilarious, I cannot imagine giving that to someone as a Valentine's gift xD!

    This was a great post and the cover of Recalled is really good, I'll definitely be checking it out :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right?! That would not make a good gift for anyone ever!

      Delete
  21. LMFAO...XD I LOVE this post!! And she is soo right about the Breath mints.. I mean come on seriously!?? For Valentine's Day! ;p Plus, the funeral arrangements is just jokes! What a horrible thing to give on such a happy occasion! *laughing*

    Recalled sounds great! I'll definitely be adding it to my TBR pile! Thanks for sharing this, Jennifer! :D

    ~ Maida
    Literary Love Affair 

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd like to think the funeral arrangements thing is a joke but men have some crazy thoughts sometimes! LOL

      Delete
  22. I received some plastic flowers once. He thought they were great. You could just wash the dust off in warm soapy water if you needed to.

    ReplyDelete
  23. My hubby once gave me a life insurance policy. Thanks honey!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Flowers meant for another person...yeah that's about as wrong as it can get.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well this other girl didn't want them so I thought you might like them :-/ Yup not cool!

      Delete
  25. Oh my god, this list cracked me up! Coupons are LAME (though I confess, I've given a few before, but usually tacked on to the real present), and funeral arrangements would have me running for the hills. So would White Castle and that sweatshirt, for that matter. :-)

    Honestly, I've had fancy Valentines/anniversary dinners and presents, but the best presents are always the ones that show my BF is listening to me. Like when I complained about reading about a book on a blog in passing that sounded awesome (Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart), but I couldn't find the book or which blog I'd read it on in my internet history. Not only did he find the book based on my shoddy description, he surprised me with a copy. That book is 1000x better than the fanciest jewelry could ever be. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A coupon is kind of cute but yeah just with a card and other gift as well. Awww yes a simple but really thoughtful gift is the best. Knowing they went to a lot of trouble to listen and get you what you want is amazing! A book you spoke of that he actually remembered is super sweet! I've told so many boyfriends that. They get excited when I say jewelry isn't necessary but I say it is necessary to still put in effort and get something thoughtful even if it isn't expensive.

      Delete
  26. I've never really received a bad Valentine's present before. Though, I did get coupons for Christmas once. I was not overjoyed to say the least.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to avoid bad gifts but yes they can come for Christmas and birthdays as well LOL

      Delete
  27. I've never gotten anything bad but that funeral example has to take the cake

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think funeral arrangements is definitely the worst V-Day gift ever.

      Delete
  28. I think the worst gift was not getting anything from a guy in the past i was dating.. i would have been happy if he wrote happy valentines day on a piece of paper.... thanks for the giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same thing happened to me. His gift was supposed to be to make me dinner but then he was lazy and took me out to eat. He also didn't get me a single thing. I got him some fun boxers and candles and things and when I realized he didn't get me anything I never gave him any of his presents! LOL Like you said a simple card would have been enough but nothing is unacceptable!

      Delete
  29. I had a really sweet gift from my husband when we were still dating...our first Valentine's Day he gave me a stuffed Wyle E. Coyote holding a heart that said "I just fell...in love!" I think the worst gift would be getting dumped.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww very sweet! Getting dumped on V-Day does sound horrible! I have been in big fights during V-Day and that sucked.

      Delete
  30. i don't know...maybe candy...
    i don't like candy....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't like candy! :-O Hopefully a gift buyer would know that about you...hopefully!

      Delete
  31. lol loved this post! My worst gift on Valentines day would be from my ex in Highschool. Not only was it Valentines Day but also our one year anniversary and I went all out and got him a card and a really nice gift, but he decided to ditch me and hang out with the boys. He didn't want them to make fun of him for being whipped. I ended it the next day, I was pissed. That was my gift, being stood up for the guys

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oohhh no! V-Day should be the one day that a guy should know better than to hang with the boys over a girl?!?! You made the right decision! You know now that you mention it I think I was stood up once too. It wasn't my boyfriend or anything but in high school I was talking to a guy and we went out a couple times and he wants to hang out on V-Day and then he just never called :-(

      Delete
  32. Can't think of any bad ones, maybe nothing? :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. My husband tries to switch it up sometimes, and always fails. I am not a hearts and teddy bear kind of person AT ALL. Flowers yes, but only flowers and maybe some candy. Well one year to my office he sent this totally ugly lame teddy bear holding a heart that said "I love you Beary Much". He spend some serious money on this thing and I could barely look at it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwwww but that is sweet that he tries so hard!!!! But then you do have to have a place to keep all those stuffed animals so I am not always such a teddy bear person either. I want something I will use and will be worth his money. :-D

      Delete
  34. Funeral arrangements? Seriously? Wow. I understand it's something to think about as a couple but...on Valentine's Day? Thankfully I haven't received anything bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think any holiday is a good time for that.

      Delete
  35. Worst gift? A card with another girl's name on it! A little effort, please T_T

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG Did you really get that?! Or is that what you're thinking is the worst? Was it re-gifted maybe?! A little effort goes a long way.

      Delete
  36. I haven't received anything bad, but I would have to say that funeral arrangements would be the worst

    ReplyDelete
  37. This post is SO GREAT!!!! Laughed my tail off!! I have never in my life seen something as ridiculous and laughable as that sweetheart sweatshirt!!!! Ahhh, Cambria must have had a blast putting this post together! And funeral arrangements?? REALLY?!?! Yeah, cause nothing says "I love you" like a casket and a burial plot...ugh, it's just creepy. I'm not a huge fan of V-Day anyway, do I just think all the treacly cheap crap with hearts on it is ALL a bad idea! I'm not much of a romantic, what can I say ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The SweetHeart sweatshirt! The things people come up with to make money. I can definitely understand preferring a practical gift over a bunch of cheap candy.

      Delete
  38. No gift... always so sad.

    mestith at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know...that's pretty much what I always get! LOL Sometimes dinner if I'm dating someone. Depending on who is single among my friends around the holiday sometimes we will exchange fun gifts to brighten our day! I try to celebrate all love whether friendship, family, or romantic!

      Delete
  39. A greeting card with no message written on it o_o

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! I read and love every single comment!