By Joyce Lamb, USA TODAY

You might have already noticed that Jill Shalvis is one of HEA’s favorite authors. I just love the fun in her books, not to mention the cute animals that are on some of her book covers. What can I say? I’m easy.

Whenever Jill has a new book out, I feel compelled to tell everyone I know, because I’m just so excited about it. Today, at last, book five in the Lucky Harbor series, is out (at last!). I invited Jill over to HEA to share a little something about her hunky forest ranger hero in at last. (If you hang around until the end, you could win a book by Jill.)

Jill: A few years ago, my family went camping. we brought our boat, and on the first day there, we launched it on the lake for the duration of our stay. my husband gave me my choice of driving the truck and trailer to the campsite or driving the boat across the lake to dock. It was windy, and I’m a boat wuss, so I picked the truck. Halfway around the lake, I got the trailer stuck on a weird hair-pin turn and had to be rescued by a forest ranger. He was big and tough and armed and overworked, and undoubtedly underpaid as well, but the man helped me out of a jam so my husband wouldn’t kill me. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to write a forest ranger as a hero in one of my books.

Enter Matt Bowers. big and tough and armed and overworked and underpaid. Like my real-life hero, he also stopped and helped a damsel in distress. Of course, Matt gets a lot more in the bargain than my poor beleaguered forest ranger ever got. Matt Bowers gets waitress Amy Michaels, beautiful, tough, jaded … and in desperate need of rescuing. she just doesn’t know it yet.

I hope you get a chance to watch these two warily circle each other on their path to true love. Like me, neither of them take the easy way. I mean, what’s the fun in that?

Our family had a great summer at that lake, and it’s a great summer for me this year, too, with not one, but three, Lucky Harbor novels. So if you enjoy at last, don’t miss sexy Special Ops soldier Ty Garrison in Lucky in love (out now) and handsome doctor Josh Scott in forever and a Day, coming July 31.

Joyce: Thanks, Jill!

Chapter 1 of at last begins with the words: “Everything’s better with chocolate.” So now that chocolate is off the table (and hopefully melting on your tongue), how would you complete the sentence “Everything’s better with …”?

I would have to say, “Everything’s better with … a Jill Shalvis book. and a puppy.”

Five commenters (yes, FIVE!) will win a copy of any one of Jill’s five published Lucky Harbor novels (your choice). you can enter until midnight ET tonight (Tuesday, June 26). Winners will be notified via Facebook (check your messages!) on Wednesday (June 27). (There are always rules, please click here for ours.)

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New release: ‘At Last’ by Jill Shalvis (giveaway!)

Best Pregnancy Books
There are many pregnancy books on the market and below you will find some of my favorites along with links to access them for purchase.

As any pregnant mom will tell you these guides are designed to be there for reassurance that everything is ok and YOUR pregnancy is on track. if you are interested in understanding how your unborn child is developing each week or you want to know what is actually happening with the changes in YOUR own body than these books can be excellent resources along the way.

Read these reviews of the best pregnancy books around and choose a guide or two that will go with you on your journey from conception through labor and eventually the welcome birthing event

What to Expect when You’re Expecting, 4th edition by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

A perennial New York Times bestseller and one of USA Today‘s 25 most influential books. It’s read by more than 90% of pregnant women who read a pregnancy book. Featuring a new look, a fresh perspective, and a friendlier-than-ever voice. Filled with up-to-date information reflecting not only what’s new in pregnancy, but what’s relevant to pregnant women. Detailed week-by-week fetal development section in the monthly chapters, an expanded chapter on pre-conception, and a brand new one on carrying multiples. Overflowing with tips, helpful hints, and humor (a pregnant woman’s best friend), this new edition is more accessible and easier to use than ever before.

New Active Birth by Janet Balaskas

A pregnancy book that enables you to have the active birth you want. With this book, you can learn to develop all your body’s resources to deal with the instinctive experience of childbirth. Fully updated and extended with new information – including Water Birth and Recovery after Birth. it offers prenatal and postnatal exercises with step by step photographs. it presents a detailed section covering every aspect of Active Birth at home and in the hospital.

Birth stories by Katrina O’Brien

Share other women’s birth stories with this pregnancy book that tells you like it is. From natural birth at home to unexpected birth in the outdoors to planned Caesareans, these touchingly personal and funny tales illustrate how the method of arrival is less important than the love the child finds when it finally arrives.

The Mother of all Pregnancy Books: The Ultimate Guide to Conception, Birth and Everything In Between by Ann Douglas

The ultimate guide to conception, birth, and everything in between. Unlike all those other bossy, tell-you-what-to-do titles, this funny, entertaining guide presents parents with all the facts on such hot topics as pain relief during labor, episiotomy, and circumcision, and empowers them to make informed personal choices. It’s packed with tools you won’t find anywhere else, including:

Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke

This pregnancy bible gives you the low-down on pregnancy and birth. Lots of factual information about the babies growth, what to expect etc. Absolutely hilarious.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy by Mayo Clinic

Would-be mothers looking for precise, accurate information from a reputable source will appreciate this pregnancy guide from the celebrated Mayo Clinic. week by week accounts of the baby’s development, entries on how pregnancy can be affected by dozens of previous health conditions (such as HIV and diabetes), self-care tips for side effects like nausea and back pain, sidebars that explain the difference between identical and fraternal twins, etc. charts that indicate how to handle troublesome signs and symptoms during each three-week period. Another stellar feature is the book’s even-handed series of decision guides, which help parents make those hard (and even guilt-inducing) choices about breastfeeding, circumcision and whether or not to go back to work.

Your Pregnancy Bible by Dr Anne Deans

This pregnancy book gives practical and reassuring advice during pregnancy. Written by a team of specialists, filled with everything parents need to know about the optimum environment for a developing baby and safeguarding the mother. The book contains special fold-out sections on each of the trimesters and the birth process, week-by-week images of the developing baby, sympathetically illustrated chapters dealing with all aspects of pre-natal care, labor preparation, delivery experiences and care of the newborn, as well as comprehensive reference sections on medical treatments and procedures in both pregnancy and the post-natal period.

Conception, Pregnancy and Birth by Dr Miriam Stoppard

A comprehensive pregnancy guide to everything from conception to birth. Widely accepted as the definitive guide to pregnancy and childbirth. Stunning photography and information covers the latest developments in pregnancy and birth, from up-to-date research on how your stress levels can affect your unborn baby to developments in delivering your baby. Miriam Stoppard, MD is one of today’s most popular medical personalities and has published over 40 titles.

Feeding the Bump by Lisa Neal

A pregnancy book that clearly outlines pregnancy nutrition. Divided chronologically into pre-conception, first, second and third trimesters and postpartum/breast-feeding. provides women with all the information they need about their own and their unborn child’s nutritional requirements and the best way to fulfill them. Tried and true remedies for common complaints such as morning sickness and heartburn, along with more than 100 easy-to-follow and absolutely delicious recipes. This is a must-have resource for all women wanting to maximize their unborn child’s health, and their own, through what they eat.

Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth by Jenny McCarthy

McCarthy applies her in-your-face manner and blue humor to the subject of pregnancy and childbirth in this little piece of fun. she recounts her journey to motherhood with utter abandon; discussing topics that those other books tend to treat too gently, such as enemas, pubic hair growth, and sex in the ninth month. Women who find these topics too embarrassing to bring up now have a place to read about them in a frank and open discussion. like a gossipy girlfriend, McCarthy brings you in and makes you laugh; there’s a certain comfort in knowing that even a sex symbol gets stretch marks and balloons to 200 pounds during pregnancy.

Bonding with your Bump by Dr Miriam Stoppard

A guide-book about falling in love with your baby before birth. Presents advice and guidance on how to fall in love with your baby before birth. Building that special relationship with your baby starts before birth. Forming a close, early bond can make a real difference to your baby’s wellbeing, your feelings as a parent and in creating a loving environment for when baby arrives. up-to-the-minute research with enlightened and compassionate wisdom explains why mother-baby bonding is so vital. Learn to understand and cherish your unborn baby. This book guides you through this extraordinary time: from hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time, to the first magical days post birth.

The Pregnancy Bible: your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood Editors: Joanne Stone MD, Keith Eddleman MD

The Pregnancy Bible covers the complete sequence of fetal development in utero week by week. Full color photography with many life-size photos which are reproduced from state-of-the-art ultrasound images. Written in an easy-to-understand style that will especially appeal to first-time parents.With 300,000 copies sold, it is the most attractive and complete guide to this important event in parents’ lives. Includes authoritative information about the latest developments affecting the well-being of an expectant mother and her baby. Specifically, these include:

• New CDC recommendations about mercury and fish
• Update on nuchal translucency screening
• Update on screening for genetic disorders
• Updated information about loss rates after amniocentesis
• New information about 3D/4D ultrasound
• Recent trends in cesarean delivery on demand
• Update on Downs syndrome screening.

The Natural Way to a Better Pregnancy by Naish & Roberts

An easy-to-follow pregnancy guide to pre-conception health. Did you know that the food you eat, the environment you live in and the lifestyle you lead in the months before you conceive a child can have a profound effect on the wellbeing of your baby? Preconception health care, as outlined in this book, can prevent miscarriage, premature and stillbirths, congenital abnormalities and has a better than 80 per cent success rate in the treatment of infertility. Did you know that by following its simple principles, you can actively help ensure your baby will be content and alert, won’t suffer from colic, feeding problems or other common ailments, and will be less likely to suffer from allergies, asthma or behavioral problems? Complete, easy-to-follow guide to preconception health for BOTH prospective parents. Written by a Naturopath, herbalist, hypnotherapist and bestselling author who runs Australia’s only clinic dedicated to helping people conceive happy, healthy babies naturally.

The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger

One of the most celebrated British authors on the sociological and anthropological aspects of birth, breast feeding, and early parenthood. This book guides readers seeking a woman-centered birth experience through the newly researched alternatives now available. five major sections: Early Weeks, Physical and Emotional changes, Anticipating the Birth, the Experience of Birth, and you and your Newborn, Candid information about what mothers need to know, ranging from ways to navigate the technical landscape of hospital births to making the personal choices of a water home birth. Encourages readers to construct a birth plan, make their own space, and choose an effective birth companion. With revised appendices and 300 updated photographs, drawings, and diagrams, this guide is a valuable resource for all.

The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book by Marjorie Greenfield

Dr. Marjorie Greenfield draws from her experiences as an obstetrician and working mom and from more than a hundred interviews with mothers ranging from factory workers to high-powered attorneys, to create a unique resource for working women. This up-to-date guide addresses all the subjects you would expect to find in an authoritative book on pregnancy plus issues of special concern to the 60 to 80 percent of women who hold jobs during their pregnancies:

• Is my workplace safe for my developing baby?
• When should I tell my employer that I am expecting?
• How can I handle the discomforts of pregnancy when I need to work?
• What laws will protect me when I take medical leave?

The 100 Healthiest Foods to Eat During Pregnancy: The Surprising Unbiased Truth about Foods you Should be Eating During Pregnancy but probably Aren’t by Jonny Bowden PH.D. C.N.S., Allison Tannis MS

Eat the best foods for your baby’s development Nutrition is never more critical than during pregnancy. What you choose to put on your plate affects you and your baby’s health not just in utero but for years to come. Backed up by the latest nutritional research, this guide debunks pregnancy food myths and uncovers a number of surprising food choices that are superfoods for expectant mothers. This one-of-a-kind nutrition reference guide is also packed with helpful quick-reference charts and sidebars, highlighting healthy (but no less delicious) substitutes for commonly craved foods like ice cream and potato chips. You’ll also discover the most up-to-date research regarding pregnancy dilemmas, such as how to get more omega-3s from fish in your diet while avoiding mercury. Its pregnancy nutrition made easy

Babycare before Birth by Zita West

A pregnancy book that shares the wisdom of a fertility expert and midwife. Bringing together fascinating new research that shows during pregnancy a woman can make a dramatic difference to her unborn baby’s health, well-being, development, and all-round future potential by making small adjustments to her diet and lifestyle, this amazing book explains how to give your baby the best possible start in life.

What to Expect: Eating Well when You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

Provides moms-to-be with a realistic approach to navigating healthily and deliciously through the nine months of pregnancy-at home, in the office, over the holidays, in restaurants. Thorough chapters are devoted to nutrition, weight gain, food safety, the postpartum diet, and how to eat when trying to conceive again. 150 contemporary, tasty, and healthy recipes that feed mom and baby well, take little time to prepare, and are gentle on queasy tummies. comes with a light, reader-friendly tone while delivering the most up-to-date information.

What to Expect before You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

In the same fresh, contemporary voice that has made the 4th edition of What to Expect when You’re Expecting so successful, Murkoff explains the whys and wherefores of getting your body ready for pregnancy, including pregnancy prep for both moms and dads to be. Filled with information on exercise, diet, pinpointing ovulation, lifestyle, workplace, and insurance changes you’ll want to consider, and how to keep your relationship strong when you’re focused on baby making all the time. There are tips for older couples; when to look for help from a fertility specialist–including the latest on fertility drugs and procedures–plus a complete fertility planner.

Eating for Pregnancy: The Essential Nutrition Guide and Cookbook for Today’s Mothers-to-Be by Catherine Jones, Rose Ann Hudson

A volume that combines both recipes and nutritional advice aimed specifically at the mother-to-be. Balancing optimum and unnecessary weight gain with the required dietary needs for a healthy lifestyle. Addresses the requirements of diabetic, vegetarian and vegan diets. A chapter is dedicated to the vegetarian diet. Each section contains recommended pantry items for the recipes. Makes full use of convenience and semi-prepared ingredients to provide simple yet flavorful dishes. Advice on vitamins, health hazards and goals. Each recipe is preceded with the nutritional goal for baby and mother-to-be and followed by tips for cooking, storage, health, special diets as well as complete meal ideas, variations and the approximate nutritional content.

The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, & other Holistic Choices by Aviva Jill Romm M.D.

Reading this book is like having your own personal herbalist and midwife at your side. one of the first books to explore botanical medicine and pregnancy. Follows the woman’s journey from conception to birth, focusing on natural health. describes herbs that can promote and maintain a healthy pregnancy (along with those you should avoid during your term) and the basics of a healthy diet, with an emphasis on natural foods. Complete guide for the woman who envisions a safe pregnancy without technological intervention, as nature intended.

Best Books on Pregnancy Reviews

And here’s what Martha Stewart — who’s attending as the guest of USA TODAY — as well as George Clooney, Lindsay Lohan, Zooey Deschanel, and Diane Keaton will be eating at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C.

So what’s on the menu? According to the National Journal, we’re looking at a salad of black lentils with lump crabmeat and greens; an entree of steak and shrimp; and a dessert of chocolate truffle mousse.

So what’s on the menu? According to the National Journal, we’re looking at a salad of black lentils with lump crabmeat and greens; an entree of steak and shrimp; and a dessert of chocolate truffle mousse.

For those not in the loop, this is the annual dinner when journalists covering the White House mingle with celebrities and listen to the president give what is usually, if last year was an indication, a very entertaining speech. this year, the comedic stylings are courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel.

Lifeline Live: Your ticket to all that’s entertainment

The NFL has spoken and the New Orleans Saints are seeing some blowback from the bounty program that had their defense putting a price on the head of players as a reward for knocking them out of the game.

According to the USA Today, Head Coach Sean Payton will be suspended for the entire season.  In addition, General Manager Mickey Loomis will also see a suspension for eight games and will be fined $500,000.  The team itself will lose a 2nd round draft pick both this year and next year and they will also fork over $500,000 as a team fine.

Getting an indefinite suspension will be former Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, who is currently on staff with the St. Louis Rams.  The investigation from the commissioners office revealed that Williams administered the bounty program and, while Sean Payton was not a direct participant in the program, he was aware of it.

Sean Payton Suspended – Saints Punished

Quick news from around the Web

@FierceWireless: Stodgy old telcos? not us, carriers blast at CES. Article via @CNET | Follow@FierceWireless

> the LG Marquee is headed to Sprint Nextel’s Boost Mobile for $279 later this month. Article

> the Nokia Lumia 900 for AT&T Mobility could be released in March. Article

> bright House Networks turned on more than 2,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Florida. Article

> Target reportedly will open Apple kiosks. Article

> the iPhone 5 could make its way to T-Mobile USA and other networks. Article

Mobile Content

> Google introduced a design website for Android 4.0. Post

> AT&T is teaming with USA Today to extend the operator’s Mobile Barcodes program to the paper’s pages. Article

> Sony Entertainment Network will expand its Music Unlimited streaming service to Apple’s iPhone and iPad. Article

> Openwave Systems, a mobile technology software company based in Redwood City, Calif., is considering selling its mediation and messaging businesses and has hired Jeffries and Co. to advise the company. Article

And finally… the release of the iPhone 4S in China created pandemonium. Article

iPhone 5 could hit T-Mobile USA; Nokia Lumia 900 could arrive in March

Reid Cherner and Tom Weir have been with USA TODAY since 1982 and they have written Game on! since March 2008.

Reid has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. the only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he’s right and wrong.

Tom has covered every Summer and Winter Olympics since 1984, and has made numerous trips to the Super Bowl, World Series, Final four and NBA Finals. in 2009, he put more miles on his bicycle than on his car.

Michael McCarthy and Michael Hiestand have more in common than their first names.

Both have covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY. both have tackled the sports biz ranging from what’s behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world’s bottom line.

But they usually come at things from different directions, and it’s no wonder. Hiestand is an Oregon native who went to Stanford while McCarthy is a native New Yorker who went to St. John’s.

Game On: Bringin’ the buzz on sports

Women in horse opera South Dakota who have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer lend towards to select mastectomy over lumpectomy distant some-more mostly than their East River counterparts do, according to report from a South Dakota Cancer Registry.

USA Today Giuliana Rancic recuperating from stand in lumpectomy USA Today Giuliana Rancic referred to she was confronting operation when she suggested 3 days ago which she was battling breast cancer, as good as this sunrise her

She's a trouper, she pulled by it as good as was kind of relieved to get it over with as good as get a cancer out as good as is you do good during home,” bill pronounced while.

Radiation after Lumpectomy Improves Survival, Saves Breasts New investigate found which lumpectomy followed by deviation improves breast cancer presence as good as lowers regularity risk. (Getty Images) Radiation care after a

Giuliana Rancic recovering from double lumpectomy