PEORIA, Ill. (Jan. 4, 2013) – With the beginning of a new year comes a fresh start. New Year's resolutions are often made to form good habits and reach new goals. This New Year's, the American Red Cross encourages people to resolve to help patients in need through regular blood donations.

As the winter season continues, blood donations are especially needed. Donations typically decline this time of year, as many regular donors are impacted by inclement weather and seasonal illnesses.

There is no better resolution to make this New Year's than to help save lives with the Red Cross. Give the gift of life and help give patients another year with their loved ones. Make an appointment to donate blood at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Carroll County
Jan. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Milledgeville High School, Highway 40 in Milledgeville, Ill.

Clinton County
Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at American Red Cross, 1220 13th Ave. North in Clinton, Iowa

Jan. 24 from 2-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 621 S. Third St. in Clinton, Iowa

Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ashford University, 400 N. Bluff in Clinton, Iowa

Jan. 30 from 12-6 p.m. at Northeast High School, 3690 Highway 136 in Goose Lake, Iowa

Henry County
Jan. 23 from 1:15-5:15 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Jan. 23 from 2-7 p.m. at Alwood Elementary School, 101 E. A St. in Alpha, Ill.

Mercer County
Jan. 17 from 1-5 p.m. at Alexis Community Center, 204 W. Palmer Ave. in Alexis, Ill.

Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mercer County Hospital, 409 NW Ninth Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Rock Island County
Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Quad City International Airport, 2200 69th Ave. in Moline, Ill.

Whiteside County
Jan. 16 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Jan. 18 from 3-7 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

Jan. 19 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.

Jan. 22 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Halo Branded Solutions, 1980 Industrial Drive in Sterling, Ill.

Jan. 26 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

Jan. 29 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.

Jan. 30 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

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Author Sandi Lorraine releases her new romance fiction, "Heartache VS. Heartbreak"

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa - (Release Date TBD) - From the prolific novelist of The Escape, Love's Enduring Choices, and A Winter To Remember, Heartache VS. Heartbreak is Sandi Lorraine's fourth and latest addition to her treasury of romance fiction. This newly published book portrays a classic love triangle, set in the heart of Iowa, with an intriguingly fresh and unique storyline replete with surprising twists that will delight both Lorraine's avid fans and new followers alike.

The story revolves around the life of Sheriff Brice Hawkins. When he is called to investigate the disappearance of a seven-year-old boy, he is not prepared to come face to face with Jalynn, the mother of his ten-year-old son, Grady. She had deserted them years before, but now here she stands before him, wanting to rekindle the flame that had once been between them. As she crawls into his bed again, he realizes that he has never really gotten over her.

However, things are never too simple. Brice now had someone else. Mira Phillips is his best friend, favorite companion, and the woman that his son, Grady, wants for his mother. It was not going to make any difference how and where he leaps. Someone is bound to get hurt. The only question is: "Who would it be?"

Here is a slice from one of Heartache VS. Heartbreak's evocative scenes:

Brice finally reached home about midnight, so he didn't want to disturb Grady and Mira. Instead of going to bed, he just stretched out in his recliner, thankful for a break for both mind and body. However, sleep didn't come, as he thought about so many things he had tried for years to forget, as far as Jalynn was concerned. Now in just a few short hours time, they were all rushing back to haunt him. He remembered the frustration he had felt after she had left. And for years, he didn't know if he dreaded or hoped she would return, just so he could release all the anger he felt towards her. Now here she was, and he still didn't know how he wanted or should feel towards her.

With its distinctive plot, unexpected twists and turns, and personable characters, Heartache VS. Heartbreak is a book that is sure to engage readers from beginning to end. They will be wrapped up in a love affair, waiting to find out how a stable new life and love can withstand the fires that a rekindled old flame can bring.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.

About the Author

Sandi Lorraine grew up in the Midwest farming area, married her high school sweetheart, and moved to the big city where their three children were born. Later, they moved back to that same small farming area so their children could grow up in a smaller school complex. Living in two different worlds taught her not only how to accept the different aspects of people that surround her, but how necessary it is. After their children left the nest, she returned to their local community college and took night classes to learn how to write and express herself on paper. Since that time, she has written several books and short stories as a way of relaxing, including The Escape, Love's Enduring Choices, and A Winter To Remember.

Heartache VS. Heartbreak * by Sandi Lorraine

Publication Date: December 7, 2012

Trade Paperback; $19.99; 176 pages; 978-1-4797-3692-8

Trade Hardback; $29.99; 176 pages; 978-1-4797-3693-5

eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4797-3694-2

Your Iowa Republican Leadership Has Stood Firm.

Today our office has been flooded with calls and emails about the recent vote on the "Fiscal Cliff."

Over the past few days the Republican Party of Iowa has held strongly to the belief that all proposed legislation should cut taxes, cut spending and deal with the federal government's overwhelming debt. Unfortunately bills brought to the floor of the House and Senate failed to sufficiently cut spending and they still raised taxes increase on lower and middle income families.

The Republican Party of Iowa opposed these bills and encouraged Republicans across Iowa to oppose them as well.

If you haven't yet heard, ALL THREE of Iowa's Republican elected officials voted "No" on the "Year-End Tax Plan."

Senator Chuck Grassley, Congressman Tom Latham and Congressman Steve King all stood firm on their promise to protect Iowans and their families while dealing with our crushing federal debt. Read some of their comments below:

"It's a fiscal farce to raise taxes and hurt economic growth only to fuel more government spending with record deficits and debt... "Spending restraint ought to be more than a wishful new year's resolution with no way to be certain it's kept." - Senator Chuck Grassley

"Our $3.5 trillion budget is and will continue to be our primary fiscal obstacle, and a bill that increases taxes and fails to even begin to address spending decisions is not the action American taxpayers have asked for." - Congressman Tom Latham

"This bill makes no effort to curb the out of control federal spending that's to blame." - Congressman Steve King

We encourage Republicans to thank Senator Grassley and Congressmen Latham and King for their strong stand against this bill.

Join us in Celebrating our Republican Leaders.

As we celebrate Republican leadership on a federal level, please consider joining us for our annual Legislative Breakfast to show our appreciation for our state legislators!

On Monday, January 14th the Republican Party of Iowa will be holding its first major event of the year, our annual Legislative Breakfast at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Des Moines.

Reserve your spot at the breakfast today.

This event honors our incoming Republican elected officials. We've invited all our Republican State Reps and State Senators and are proud to be joined by Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen, House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer and Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix.

This is a tremendous opportunity for individuals and businesses leaders to meet our newly elected Republican officials as we begin the new legislative session. Space is limited so please Click here to reserve your spot right away.

Those who would prefer to pay via check or who have additional questions may contact the Iowa GOP's Organizational Director John Ferland at 515-282-8105.

Hope to see you there!

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Fighting for Limited Government,

AJ Spiker
Chairman