"Not Everyone is Religious"

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When I wrote Totally Desperate Mom one of my goals was to make it readable to people of different faiths or non-religious people even though it has my Christian viewpoint peppered throughout the book. I couldn't (and didn't want to) leave the Christian stuff out because it is such a huge part of who I am, how I live my life, how I think, how I parent, how I deal with the hard parts of motherhood, how I view suffering, how I survived the death of our daughter . . . and on and on. Nolie at Nolie's place recently reviewed my book and is giving away a copy on her blog.

Her review is my favorite of all the Totally Desperate Mom reviews because she is not religious and still enjoyed the book. Was not turned off just because there were things in there that she doesn't belief. There was enough common ground in the motherhood stuff that she still enjoyed the book and didn't get hung up on our differing world views.

Head over to Nolie's Place to read her review of my book Totally Desperate Mom and to try and score yourself a free copy by simply leaving a comment sharing one of your favorite motherhood stories.

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Book Review by a Fellow Author

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Feel free to skip this blog post and head over to a more important post over at Mel at the Larson Lingo to participate in The Adventure Project for World Water Day. Raising money to train and employ water pump technicians. So those wells that have been built won't get neglected, broken, and ultimately rendered worthless.

And for totally insignificant stuff . . .

Did you know that Mother's Day is coming up really soon?

If you believed that then you are definitely a desperate mom or you are married to one. So you might want to get a head start on Mother's Day shopping, which is actually on May 8th.

Author and speaker Kathi Macias has reviewed my book Totally Desperate Mom. And she is not related to me. But I did read one of her books Changed at San Quentin . . . for Better or for Worse and liked it. Random fact about me I totally dig the cop/detective/prison guard stuff. Books, documentaries, shows, movies and the like. One of my favorite movies is Dead Man Walking.

Here is Kathi's review:

Wendy Hagen is a riot! Seriously. Hilariously! And absolutely necessarily. Not only does her sense of humor and open candor about herself and her life as a "totally desperate mom" help maintain her own sanity, but it does the same for other desperate moms.

Read the rest of her review here . . .

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A Mom Book Review by a Non-Mom

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Sorry if you are getting annoyed with the book stuff. I just need to make some space in my garage :) I don't know how much you know about books, but unless your last name is Beth Moore there is not a lot of money making going on. And unless your last name is Rick Warren, authors really have to work to promote their own books to get them out there.

I wrote this book to encourage my fellow mamas in their faith and motherhood journeys. And from what I am being told, it is doing that. Except for one lady on Amazon - she was ticked because she didn't realize there was Jesus stuff in the book and said the book was just okay.

Thank you for all of your support and for all of you have already purchased it for yourselves and for your friends. Over 1200 copies sold and counting! So for those of you who can handle reading another review of Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin' it Real in the Motherhood . . . (Mom, Dad, Shiloh - enjoy!)

I saw a review on Amazon that impressed me in its thoroughness so I contacted this stranger and asked her if she would review my book. She said she would but that I should know she is not a mom. Even better. Someone I don't know, who doesn't always give five stars, who reads and reviews a lot of books, who is not a mom. Thought it would make for an objective and interesting review. I was so please to hear that Andrea Schultz enjoyed Totally Desperate Mom!

Here is a sampling of her review.
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Although I am not a mother, I do enjoy reading books that are outside of my ‘life box.’ The latest book I have read is ‘Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin’ It Real in the Motherhood’ by Wendy Hagen.

I loved this well-written and comical section on breastfeeding:

Many women enjoy breastbleeding or whatever it’s called. I am not one of them. Many women say it is a bonding experience with their babies. I totally relate to the word bond when it comes to breastfeeding. I just add an –age to the word, and then it accurately conveys my feelings about breastfeeding. I feel kind of like a jerk mom for even saying that. But just like of, because I know I am not the only mama who struggles with these sentiments. I know I will never be allowed into an “Breast is Best” clubs (darn it), but breastfeeding has been difficult for me on many levels. Before you go calling La Leche League on me, let me state that I do think breastfeeding is very important. There is no nutritional substitute. It is amazing that God has created us to be all our baby needs for the first six months of their lives. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it, right? (p. 45)

I highly recommend this excellent book for moms-to-be, moms that already have a houseful of tots, and those that love those moms, too (so they can better understand what mom is going through). It is fun and easy to read, while at the same time having substance and pointing people to the Lord. Although I am not a mother (other than to a rambunctious Cocker Spaniel puppy and a more mature, albeit still fun, six year old Cocker Spaniel), I still found this to be a wonderfully funny book! I laughed out loud in some places!

I do have a friend whose daughter will be celebrating her first birthday in February, so I plan to pass this book along to her so she can see what is in the future for her – both the joys and the moments where you may want to pull out her hair!

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You can head over to Andrea's blog to read the full review.

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* To get your copy (or 300 copies) of Totally Desperate Mom you can order your signed copy directly through me on my Website (up to 3 books signed and shipped for only $5 shipping) or you can order on Amazon.

*If you want to be a liker of Totally Desperate Mom on facebook you can go here and it's free and it gets you nothing. Well, you'll get some updates on desperate mom life and my speaking stuff. Do it for your country. Like.

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She has 5 Boys & Finds Time to Read!

Pin It Now! Mandee over at Raising My 5 Sons did a review on my book. And I didn't pay her, which is cool. She is also doing a giveaway of my book on her blog.

Here's her review:

What a great name for a book, right!?
I totally would have picked this book up off of the shelf, and I would probably have purchased it just because of the title. This was a very easy read. I know it took me forever to get to the book (I have 5 boys, what do you expect!?) But, once I started reading the book I really didn't put it down.

The first chapter really will get you hooked. It's quite funny and let me just say it includes hemmies. Don't know what hemmies are? You really must NOT have children! Or, maybe you are one of those lucky ones, or you are just in denial...he he!


In the book Wendy talks about pregnancy, birth, raising children, temper-tantrums, melt-downs, and pretty much everything in between. I laughed a lot while reading this book. My husband would look over at me and say, What now? Of course, I would have to read him a part from the book, but he never found it near as funny as I did. I guess that is probably because he is NOT a Totally Desperate Mom.

If you don't read any other book this year I would highly recommend you read Totally Desperate Mom. I know, your life is busy, you are already going crazy, but that is even more reason to read the book.

You need to be reassured that you are not the only one, right? Or are you a first time Mom who needs to know what to expect? Know someone that you think is a Totally Desperate Mom (TDM)? You should purchase the book for them!

I'm not joking people!
Love this book!

How would you like a copy?

Head over to Raising My 5 Sons to win one!

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Kathi Lipp + Leonardo DiCaprio + free book

Pin It Now! Another chance to win a free copy of my book. You have until tomorrow 10/8/10. This time head over to Kathi Lipp's blog. She (indirectly) hugged Leonardo diCaprio.

And if you don't like free things then pick up a copy on Amazon. Not because you neeeeeeed it. But because:

1. You are a mom and would love some laughter and encouragement.

2. You want to feel normal.

3. You only have time for short, easy, 20-minutes-per-chapter reading.

4. You know a mom who could use a little pick-me-up.

5. You know someone who is pregnant and could use an "unadviceful" parenting book that will get her excited and healthily scared about her upcoming journey.

6. When you grow up you want to look like this . . .

If you really identified with #6 you might want to order the book directly through me. Because maybe you'll catch some of my morning glory. Pin It Now!

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TDM Book Review by Jenny on the Spot

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I have few bloggy friends. Friends I don't know in real life, but have connected with over the blogosphere. Jenny on the Spot is one of them. I sent her a copy of my book. She reviewed it. I didn't pay her. Not even in glitter. Please go over to her blog and leave a comment and you will be entered to win a copy of the book. Last I checked there was only one comment so your odds are good.

I do believe motherhood is the hardest job in the world. And the best job in the world.

My heart is that in Totally Desperate Mom you will find encouragement on your motherhood journey. And free drugs. Well, if you consider laughter to be a drug. I do.

Here is a taste of Jenny's review . . .

Are you a totally desperate mom?

Is there any other kind of mom?

I mean, really.

REALLY.

When reading about motherhood, we nod. We “know” it’s going to be hard. But we don’t really “know” until we have gone to there.

In Totally Desperate Mom, Wendy shares candidly about the victories, the defeats, the surprises, the embarrassment, the pain… the deep joy.

A soon-to-be-mom? This will get you the closest you’ve been to the highs and lows of motherhood. A season mom-pro? Then you will slip and slide from howling in laughter to tears as you remember. Because we ALL remember…

Read the rest of the review.

Or just go pick up a copy of Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin' it Real in the Motherhood.

Or go do some laundry. It's a free country. The choice is yours.

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The Father's House

Pin It Now! Wanted to let you know that I will be speaking at The Father's House in Vacaville for their women's event on Friday, August 27th at 7pm. For those of you who live around there -- I would love to see you. Especially if you were to come dressed in a prom dress or something cool like that. I will be speaking about how perfectionism can really mess you up.

Don't forget to enter to win a free copy of Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin' it Real in the Motherhood. Because my dad really likes my book. Look at his review on Amazon (pasted below). How cute is that?

Real Life, August 5, 2010 By Daddio - See all my reviews This review is from: Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin' It Real in the Motherhood (Paperback) From personal knowledge and experience I'm able to relate to the stories in this book, and especially to my own daughter, the author. Although the book isn't written for men, I think many husbands would gain an even greater respect and admiration for their parenting wives by reading this book. I appreciate my own wife's parenting skills much more now than I did before reading Wendy's book. I'm blessed to be to be a part of this family, and to be a Grandpa who can enjoy the company of Wendy's kids without having the full-time responsibility of a Totally Desperate Mom.

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Yolky Hair and Another Book Review

Pin It Now! Another positive blogger book review of Totally Desperate Mom. It is pretty amazing to read things like this from people I don't know. Humbling and exciting and weird. Praying this book is a blessing of laughter and encouragement for moms of all ages and of all faiths. Meanwhile, my kids are just rubbing egg in their hair at breakfast.
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Here Come the Book Reviews

Pin It Now! I sent my book to a few bloggin' book reviewers. The first one is up. Really, I am not an author or a speaker. I am a mom. I apply sunscreen on a regular basis.

So it is pretty humbling and encouraging to read this kind of a review from someone I don't even know. Check out Growing a Baby in Seattle's review of Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin' it Real in the Motherhood. And you can leave a comment and do some other tricks for a chance to win a copy of the book. Or you can just order one from me. (Won't be available on Amazon until end of the month or early August.)

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Free Stuff for Mother's Day

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Happy Mother's Day! I did a guest post over at Life Verse Blog today about my life verse - it's a story of hope and encouragement in a situation where you might wonder how a good God could allow something so devastating to happen. Check it out!

And as far as free stuff goes . . . how about a sneak peek (the first five chapters!) of Totally Desperate Mom: Keepin' it Real in the Motherhood? Not quite as cool as the macaroni necklace that Lydia made me, but close. Got get your sneak peek now!

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