Mani Monday ~ Purple Primrose

This weeks manicure is a retired wrap from the Fall/Winter catalog. It is called Purple Primrose. I am really enjoying the flower power this week!

I am doing Mani Monday's with a blogging friend that also is hooked on Jamberry nail wraps. Pop over to The Knit Wit to see what she is wearing.

Visit my past Mani Monday's to see what I have been sporting.



~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Author Spotlight Saturday ~ Meet Jesscia Gollub + Giveaway!

Please welcome Jessica Gollub to Genuine Jenn!

Jessica is a fellow Canadian that I was recently introduced to through another Canadian blogger. After you have a chance to read Jessica's interview check out my review on The Mark of the Hummingbird.
 

Tell us a little bit about your book(s) and yourself. 

"The Mark of the Hummingbird" is my first book and it's a young adult dystopian novel about a girl named Leona who was born shortly after the beginning of a second ice-age. She, and a large group of others have survived in an underground prison. Her elders had created a society that was the only world that she knew. When the book starts she is about to turn seventeen, the age that women in "the caves" were married and expected to start bearing children. Until she discovers a disturbing truth she didn't care to know anything about the outside world, but soon finds herself standing in the middle, between the world she thought she knew and the one she knows nothing about.

I am married and a stay-at-home mom to two preschoolers. I love to garden, and read, and I hate coffee (which is really a bad thing for both a writer and a mother) so I'm tired a lot. I live in Winnipeg, Canada and in case anyone is curious my last name is pronounced just like "Gollum" (but with a B).

When was your first book published? 

This is my first book and I published it this past January, so it's brand new!

Are you currently working on anything? 

I am working on a second book in the series called "The Song of the Sisters", but holy cow it's a tough slug when you have two rugrats at home. I'm really hoping to be able to release it by the summertime.

Why did you decide to become an Author? 

I think I've wanted to be an author since I realized that people wrote all those words in those magical books, but I'm not entirely sure I ever actually would. Lots of people want to write, but don't. That said, I have a deep fear of "never trying", so I'm a serial entrepreneur and have a lot of trouble not doing all the crazy things I dream up. That said, this "crazy idea" seems to fit. I feel at home here and think it might be the one that sticks. (At the very least, my brain is full of books that need to be written, so I won't be let off the hook any time soon.)

Who and what inspired you to write? 

There is no real defining moment, more like a thousand inklings. The main reason I made myself start this time was because I really believed in the story. I came up with it during those long nights with screaming, fussy, nursing babies, when I should have been sleeping but instead was sitting in the dark, rocking in my chair with an infant who refused to sleep in bed. Once I had the story, it was "just" needing to sit down and write it out.

When you are writing to you like to listen to music? What is on your playlist? 

I listen to nothing... absolutely nothing. When I write is the only time the house is quiet, because it's the only time the kids are at a babysitter. 

Who is your favorite character in your books? 

Hm, I think it's a toss-up between Leona (because she's a lot like me) and Ember. I really like Ember.  She's been dealt a crummy hand and she has a lot of anger in her, but it was really interesting to write about her.

Do you ever take characteristics or nuances from close friends or family when working on character development and if so has that friend or family member noticed and what was their response to it? 

I read once that writing was a lot like cannibalism, in that you take all your friends and family, chew them up together and from that, create your characters. I think my characters are just like people-casserole. Hah! That's really gross, but it's kind of true.  I take subtle bits from people, but I don't see any of them as being exactly like someone I know. I think all the characters in this book are their own people, but that's not to say I don't have ideas that are wholly based on people I know... though I hope they don't figure that out.

What is your favorite book of all time? 

That's a hard one, I love so many. I don't know if I can call them my favourites of "all time" but I just finished the 5 "Game of Thrones" books, and wow, those are some meaty, satisfying books for someone who devours books. I am sure I will go back to them again and again.

Tell us in one sentence why we should read your books. 

You should read my book, because even though I wrote it and was fully immersed in writing it, I still want to read it again. I write the books I want to read.

Jessica has written The Mark of the Hummingbird it is available on Amazon (paperback and Kindle), BN.com (paperback and Nook), Kobo Store, iBooks, and McNally Robinson (in Winnipeg and online)

Where can people connect with you?

Please do! I do my best to be a real person and not just talk about my books all the time. I love to hear from people.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+  (I warn you, I haven't gotten the hang of this one yet)

Thanks for taking your time to answer our questions! 

Jessica would like to offer two lucky Genuine Jenn readers their own e-copy of The Mark of the Hummingbird! Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Dragons: Defenders of Berk Part 1 ~ New Release & Giveaway!

DreamWorks Dragons: Defenders of Berk is Available everywhere today, March 25! The DVD kicks off the franchise’s “Year of the Dragon” which will continue with the highly anticipated film sequel arriving in theaters this June as well as Dragon game apps, books and other fan experiences releasing throughout the year. The DVD of the 2013 Annie Award winner for Best Animated Television Production for Children is loaded with exciting bonus content for the whole family to enjoy and contains 10 epic adventures and four all-new dragons.

Based on the DreamWorks Animation Academy Award nominated movie How to Train Your Dragon, Dragons: Defenders of Berk part 1 follows Hiccup and his fellow dragon trainers as they battle to protect their island home. The young Vikings must put their dragon training skills to the test to defeat dangerous and surprising new enemies! The series features original voice talent from the film including Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera and Christopher Mintz-Plasse and will include, Zack Pearlman and more.

The DVD also comes with a Digital HD code so you can watch it on the go, great for the kids in the car. Also there is an exclusive code inside, a Free battle pack for the School of Dragons game online/app.

Review:

My son is hooked on this DVD and loves the app. He thinks that is would be cool to train a dragon and be able to fly himself. I asked him his favorite parts in the movie so we could do this review and he rambled on about the WHOLE thing. So in a nutshell it is awesome and every kid should watch it. He is already looking for part 2!

Giveaway time! Enter to win a copy of DreamWorks Dragons Defenders of Berk Part 1. This giveaway is open to US & Canada and the winner will be chosen using rafflecopter selector. Please complete the mandatory entry and all others are extra and your choice. Thank You & Good Luck! 
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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of this dvd in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Unlocking the Social Potential in Autism by Karina Poirier ~ Giveaway $75 Amazon Gift Card!

To your dismay, your child has received a diagnosis of autism. Along with this alarming news comes the barrage of emotions that suffocates you like an avalanche— denial—confusion—depression—guilt. You want to fix your child; you have a million questions; and you want answers immediately. Autism is a journey in which the child and her family navigate challenges and experience achievements along the way. To guide you in this rewarding journey, Dr. Karina Poirier offers her expertise in this book that parents will find incredibly useful. In this book, you will find the answers you’ve desperately been seeking. Dr. Poirier has provided in simple, easy to comprehend language, an overview of child development, a descriptive explanation of how autism affects each developmental area, and guidelines for advancing your child’s functioning in all developmental domains. You will appreciate the multitude of hands-on, full-color sample lessons for teaching social and emotional skills, language, problem-solving and decision making, and play skills to children with autism.  

Publisher: Social Cognition Publications | Irvine, CA
Color: Full-color illustrations Pages: 300 ISBN (Print): 9780988798205 ISBN (Digital): 9780988798212
Available: March 2014

Available at: http://www.socialcognitionpublications.com/

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Improving social and communication skills in children with autism

Dr. Karina Poirier, author of Unlocking the Social Potential in Autism, says that understanding a child’s unique needs is the key step to dealing with concerns and developing their strengths. “Bring everything into the light. The worst thing you can do,” she said, “is to ignore the issue. Parents can help their children learn how to communicate better and develop social skills that will help them thrive later in life. Get help early, identify the specific issues you are facing, ask questions, learn everything you can, and devise a concrete and detailed strategy for engaging your child so key skills are developed and strengthened”.

Here are her answers to some key concerns that parents of a child with autism are faced with.

Q: My child can sit through a learning task on the iPad or television; however, he becomes restless and fidgety when working with a teacher. Why?  

A: Your child’s attention system is reactive. Consider how much children learn from viewing television. Teachers struggle to get children’s attention when an activity does not include the sensory kaleidoscope children are used to receiving when sitting in front of the television.  

Key Action: Children must be taught at an early age how to develop the mental tools (attend, remember, think) to engage in deliberate and self-directed learning experiences with an adult’s guidance.  

Q: My child does not respond appropriately to mood changes in others (e.g., when a peer’s mood changes from happiness to distress). Why?  

A: Your child may be lacking the ability to read nonverbal cues. Children with autism often have impaired ability to read, interpret, and process social and emotional messages. Children who are unaware of others’ thoughts and feelings risk not developing the sense of self.

Key Action: Treatment to teach the child the emotional codes that are part of the social experience. The child needs to develop the ability to understand other peoples’ emotions from their facial expression, tone of voice, and body posture. The child should be taught to recognize and interpret how people around him think and feel.  

Q: My child has difficulty with describing his/her day at school, recounting an experience, or relaying a message. Why?

 A: Delayed recall skills utilize episodic memory. Episodic memory allows us to remember past events and share these events with others. In other words, it is how we engage in reciprocal conversations with others. Episodic memory produces a conscious awareness of events that have occurred at any one time; it enables people to remember what happened to them in the past or to conceive the future.  
Key Action: Effective treatment is required for the child to learn about memory strategies and to practice remembering. Through repetition, the child develops not only better recall of past events, but also the skills to communicate the memory of the event to peers or adults during a conversation.  

Q: My child is verbal and has good command of language; however, he has trouble initiating conversation with others and taking turns during a conversation. Why?  

A: Children with autism have difficulties in social initiation and social-emotional understanding. Engaging in a reciprocal conversation with others requires the development and interaction of memory, information processing, and expressive communication skills—all of which are pervasive deficits of children with autism. It is not that these children do not desire involvement with their peers. On the contrary, they do have the desire to be socially engaged with others; however, the dilemma lies in the fact that these children lack knowledge of social norms.  

Key Action: Effective treatment that emphasizes social norms and rules, and teaches children how to process social information by distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information in a social situation. Initiating and maintaining a conversation requires a person to have social knowledge, which is knowledge of event schemas.  

Q: How much play time is appropriate to include in my child’s learning routine?  

A: For a young child, teaching through play is extremely important. Play gives children something to do with their ample free time; it also serves the important purpose of honing children’s physical, social and emotional development. Play does not occur spontaneously in children with autism the way it does for typical children.  

Key Action: Investing significant time teaching through play focuses the child on developing fine and gross motor skills, interpreting the social cues of other children and adults, and responding to those social cues appropriately. Play can be used to develop the ability to interact with, explore, and, ultimately master their surroundings. Play is an essential part of the learning process, and its ability to mimic real-life scenarios makes it an ideal way to stimulate overall development.

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About the author:

Karina Poirier, Psy.D., BCBA-D Dr. Karina Poirier is the Director of the Center for Social Cognition , a board certified behavior analyst at the doc-toral level (BCBA-D), and a certified cognitive educational therapist. Her clinical practice is devoted to providing outstanding individuals and group therapy that improves social and cognitive outcomes for individuals with autism, ADHD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and related disorders. Learn more at www.drkarinapoirier.com.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | YouTube

Win a $75 Amazon gift card Fill out the form below to Enter a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
~*Disclaimer: This was posted by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Shattered Embrace by P.R. Newton - Virtual Book Tour and Review

Shattered Embrace
P.R. Newton

Bethlehem took her first breath as her mother took her last. 

Left to survive in overcrowded Ethiopian orphanages, she developed survival skills rivaling a warrior - a fierce, independent fighter before she could walk or talk. As she approached her second birthday, Bethlehem lived her days guided by two rules: everyone leaves and trust no one. 

A world away in Canada, Tory Witcraft is trying to adopt from Ethiopia with her husband, Matt, when her adoption agency goes bankrupt, threatening her dreams of becoming a mother. Against the advice of many, including government officials threatening to revoke the adoption, she goes to Ethiopia, and her new daughter, Bethlehem.

When they finally meet, both mother and daughter struggle to connect, each trapped by their own fears and demons. Emotions and tempers run hot. Hearts and dreams collide, shattering a family before it could fully form.  

The adoption journey was difficult, but no one expected the hardest part of the journey would begin once they met.

About the Author

P.R. (Piper) Newton is a proud geek mom of two little boys, one through birth, one through adoption. She has a background in psychology and continues to take post-grad courses in childhood trauma and development. In her writings she loves to explore the human mind, putting her characters through unthinkable things, just to see how they react. She is a full-time author, who believes in the magical, creative inducing powers of arm warmers and stripy socks.

Website:  http://prnewton.com/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/PRNewtonAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/PRNewtonwrites

Review

Shattered Embrace is an harrowing journey through the world of international adoptions. P.R. Newton deftly weaves the narrative together, switching between multiple viewpoints, including Tory's personal blog posts and the events as seen through the baby Bethlehem's unique perspective. Newton's own experience with adoption brings a strong element of realism and credibility to the novel. Newton's skill as an author is evident as she brings us to the emotional highs and lows of Matt, Tory and Bethlehem's journey leading up to their first meeting and as they try to overcome the scars of their past and build a family together. Shattered Embrace is a must-read!

Buy Shattered Embrace:

Amazon * Kobo * iTunes * Barnes & Noble * GooglePlay 

~ karyn

*This review was written by karyn pickles. I received the above e-book for the purposes of review. All opinions are my own. Follow me at Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!*

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Poppy (Book #1) by Rianna Lucas ~ Book Review

Book Summary: 

Poppy, a young female Warrior Faery from the Unseelie Court is sent out to retrieve Halflings from the human world to help build her Kings army. A seasoned warrior, she sets out on what should be a routine exercise, but not this mission.  Suddenly the portals between worlds are shut down, leaving her trapped in the dreadful human world.  Now Poppy must work alongside the despised Halfling to find her way home and avoid being killed by the assassin that is now stalking her.  During their journey, Poppy will discover that everything she has been taught has not necessarily been the truth and she will be forced to make decisions that she never dreamed she would be faced with

Purchase a copy for $2.99 on Astraea Press

About the Author: 

Riana Lucas is actually a duo of writers who are best friends and go by the names Nichole and Angela in the real world. Realizing that gobbling up books like hungry caterpillars and then discussing them for hours at a time wasn't fulfilling enough, the team decided to write their first book together. The Deadly Flowers Series was born out of a kernel of an idea and has grown into a four books series. The two have realized their true calling in life and plan to make a career out of writing books with strong characters who evoke true emotion. 

Connect: Goodreads | Twitter |

Review:

Poppy was a fast-paced book, although it did "lag" at some points, it did pick back up relevantly quickly. Poppy, the unseelie female warrior, is not really the "best-liking" character in the beginning, but the author does a very good job of showcasing her "growth" as a character. You definitely start feeling for Poppy throughout the book. I give this book 3 stars, mainly just because the ending definitely leaves you hanging, and it's not fully clear WHY it's ended there. But overall, it was a good read and I enjoyed it. 

By Chryss 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Chryss. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Glenn Gloud: Sketches of Solitude by Anne Kaufamnn ~ Book Tour

Book Summary:  

In GLEN GOULD: SKETCHES OF SOLITUDE writer Anne Kaufmann gives us an imaginative glimpse into the world and soundscapes of Canadian icon and music legend, Glenn Gould. It is a series of vignettes or "sketches" of Gould's life based on his own recollections over the years and those of others who knew him. Artist Rudin Koci perfectly augments the poetic prose with his colorful, bold and energetic illustrations. This book will inspire young people of today to nurture their own creativity through art and music.

 

Purchase a copy Amazon paperback or e-book  

 
About the Author: 

Anne Kaufmann is a former teacher librarian. She studied English Literature at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Toronto. Her passions include music, books, animals and creating nature journals. She has shared her life with dogs, horses, cats and birds. A nature lover, she spends many hours exploring the forests north of her home with her Border Collie, Indy. Some of her favorite childhood memories include summers at her cottage on Lake Simcoe, settling back on the family couch reading while listening to her dad's weekly String Quartet group, playing with her dogs and wishing for a horse. She lives in Ontario, Canada.

Review: 

Glenn Gould Sketches of Solitude  is a really interesting novel - it straddles the line between fiction and non fiction and is a series of short anecdotes about Gould written in a narrative form.  The book is a type of historical fiction the facts are true but the details are massaged to fit the style.  The book gives young adults a glimpse into the genius of Glenn Gould in a way that makes his reality become ours.  The illustrations are breathtaking and bring Gould to life on the pages.  The book isn't particularly long or dense but the reader gets a strong sense of who Glenn Gould was as an artist and what his early life was like.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about Canadian artists or someone who enjoys biographies that are a little outside the box.

Reviewed by Jenn (Koala_Tea)



~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Mani Monday ~ Into the Wild

One of my favorite Jamberry nail wraps are the Gold Leopard. I have been waiting to put these ones on for awhile now but had a couple holidays to get through first. I will need to pick up another sheet of these as I gave away the rest I had on hand.

Don't forget to pop over to The Knit Wit to see what Mani Monday she has posted.

Visit my past Mani Monday's to see what I have been sporting.

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Author Spolight Saturday ~ Meet Olivia Hardin

Please Welcome Olivia Hardin to Author Spotlight Saturday! Olivia has numerous books under her belt. I have just recently been introduced to her novels with her newest series For the Love of Fae - Book #1 Sweet Magic Song.

Tell us a little bit about your book(s) and yourself.

I’m a weird, eclectic history nerd, science geek, romance reading puppy mom and wife of almost 17 years.  The hubby and the pup and I all live in beautiful East Texas and I’m so amazingly blessed to get to live my dream of being a writer.  I have two connected Paranormal Romance trilogies (Bend-Bite-Shift and For Love of Fae), an Urban Fantasy Series (The Lynlee Lincoln Series) and one stand-alone Contemporary Romance called All for Hope.

When was your first book published?

My first book was Witch Way Bends, the first in my Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy.  In that book Devan begins the continuing story arc of the series by seeking to put an end to her father’s child trafficking business.  In the process she falls in love with a sexy warlock named Kent, discovers she’s a powerful witch and also connects with a group of old and new friends for her journey.

Are you currently working on anything?

I’m busy writing the third book in my For Love of Fae Trilogy, A Dangerous Season.  That book is due to be released in June this year.

Why did you decide to become an Author?

I had dreams of being a published author when I was only 13.  I carried around spiral notebooks of my stories and passed them around to friends.  I’m just very blessed that I discovered the truth about myself a few years ago: that I am and always have been a writer… the being published part is just icing on the cake.

Who and what inspired you to write?

Inspiration is everywhere.  A dream, a story, a beautiful day, a sad emotion.  Other writers I admired helped me have the courage to take the leap.  Plus, I’m so lucky to have a group of friends to boost me daily: the authors of Romantic Edge Books.

When you are writing to you like to listen to music? What is on your playlist?

Ah, I don’t listen to a lot of music while I’m writing.  It can be distracting to me.  But I do have a playlist for every book.  I listen to the playlist when I’m driving and those songs become my Soundtrack, inspiring me to act out scenes in my head while I’m brainstorming.  Here’s where you can find the playlist to my latest release, Transcendent.

Who is your favorite character in your books?

My absolute favorite character to write is Langston.  He’s a big teddy bear of a shaman who is always calm and collected.  When he comes onto the page I immediately find my peace and calm.  He’s my “fictional rock.”

Do you ever take characteristics or nuances from close friends or family when working on character development and if so has that friend or family member noticed and what was their response to it?

I do from time to time use friends and family, but usually I’m pretty subtle about it.  I do, however, have one character truly based on a friend of mine.  I’m not sure if he would have noticed on his own, but I’ve told him he’s the man behind the character of Roon.

What is your favorite book of all time?

Of all time?  Aztec by Gary Jennings.  A pretty obscure pick, but I read the book for a course in college and absolutely fell in love with it.  My second favorite might be a little more mainstream to folks:  Glory Road by Robert Heinlein.

Tell us in one sentence why we should read your books.

They have pain, joy, death, life and magic, but All of it Fits.

List your books that are available

Paranormal Romance:

The Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy

Witch Way Bends (Book 1 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy) Ebook FREE

Bitten Shame (Book 2 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Shifty Business (Book 3 of the Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy)

Devon discovers her gifts, Jill finds her fangs, and Gerry must battle her own mind — but can these three women find men who will steal their hearts and fight evil? All of it fits…

The For Love of Fae Trilogy

Sweet Magic Song (For Love of Fae Book 1)
Published Nov. 3, 2013 * Ebook $3.99 * Paperback $10.00

Transcendent (For Love of Fae Book 2)
Expected Release March, 2014

The world of Bend-Bite Shift continues into the faery realm.  In pain, joy, death, life magic: All of it still fits…

Contemporary Romance:

All for Hope

To protect her heart, he left her behind. To protect her life, he’ll leave the life he's made behind. Sometimes the safest distance between two hearts is no distance at all…

Urban Fantasy

Trolling for Trouble (Lynlee Lincoln Book 1) Ebook FREE* 

Tangled Up in Trouble (Lynlee Lincoln Book 2)

Lynlee Lincoln is a witch and a Neutralizer.  Her job is a juggling act to keep magical and undead clients out of trouble.  Toss in romance with a guy who has two kids and you’ve got a whole lot of trouble.

Where can people connect with you (facebook, website twitter etc)

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook Fan Page |

Thanks for taking your time to answer some questions for my readers at Genuine Jenn.

Enter to win a signed paperback copy of Sweet Magic Song by Olivia Hardin! This giveaway is open Internationally. Good Luck!

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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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The Mark of the Hummingbird by Jessica Gollub ~ Book Review

Book Summary:

Burying the truth in the snow can’t conceal it forever

Leona was born a survivor—one of the few sheltered in a prison that withstood the plummeting temperatures of the frozen days. Now, as the weather slowly warms, she struggles to understand a culture and society vastly different than the one created by her elders. Standing on the cusp of her seventeenth birthday, the day she will officially become a woman and eligible for marriage, the tiny world she had long since accepted suddenly seems stifling. Conflicts and curiosity propel her beyond the fences of her home into a barren and uncertain future, with one asset that just might keep her alive.

Purchase a copy on Amazon (Canada), Kobo or Amazon (US)

About the Author:

Connect: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

Review:

This book is so fitting for this winter. Will the winter ever end? The book is set in "frozen" days for 17 years! I don't think I could handle that especially knowing what summer is like. Leona was born in the caves (under ground abandoned prison) she has heard the stories about life before the frozen days started and wants to explore outside the walls on her only home. This was definitely a fun storyline. The author does a fabulous job on each character, making the book feel as though you have step into a new time, sometime in the future. The author switches between characters and time frames but does it in a way that you don't get lost. The story all pieces together when you switch back and forth.

The story has some twist in it that you are expecting but many that you do not expect. There really wasn't a dull moment in this story and it kept me wanting to know more. The author did a great job on her first book and I look forward to reading more by Jessica Gollub.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Express your Style with Barbie ~ Canadian Contest

Do you have a lil fashionista in your life? As far back as a toddler my daughter has had a very unique sense of style. There was no dressing her as she wanted to pair up her clothes and dress herself. Of course when she got a little bigger and could dress Barbie up that opened a whole new world of fashion style. 

Barbie has a new online interactive hub called Barbie my Dreams for contests, games and of dreams! This is a safe environment for mom and daughter to play together and WIN great prizes. Canadian fans will love collecting their favourite things, catching up with Barbie and friends and entering the latest contests.  This hub functions similar to Pinterest but for the biggest Canadian Barbie fans! Content is uploaded regularly and when you sign up for a Barbie my Dreams account you will be the first to know about new promotions. All this is FREE!

Now that you are part of Barbie my Dreams don't forget to enter the Express your Style Contest which runs now until March 23rd, 2014! With the Express your Style contest, Mom and daughter can show off their style for their chance to win a trip for four to Toronto for an unforgettable shopping experience. The Express your Style contest is a way to show off your personal style, how you stylize your Barbie or showcase your style sense by uploading your favourite outfit.  All the images are private and cannot be viewed by the public - so it's your personal spot to curate your style.

It is super easy to enter! All you need to do is post one of your fave fashion items to your Express Your Style DreamBoard. Then upload a photo of yourself, your friends and Barbie showing your fave style or look! Whatever your style is, express yourself!  Mix and Match for endless possibilities! 

What are you waiting for? Head on over to the Barbie hub to enter today! Please read the Rules & Regulations for full contest details before entering. 

Have fun and Express yourself!

 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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New Release ~ The Matchmakers by Ruth J Hartman ~ Book Review

Book Summary: 

Who's to say cats can't be matchmakers?

Jessie Selkirk has a mission — to take care of every stray cat she finds. They are her life, her sole reason for being. But when Baldwin Rutledge steps into her barn looking for a cat, she develops a whole new interest. One in which she must continually remind herself there is no future. No. Best to hope for nothing beyond friendship and spare herself a broken heart.

Baldwin Rutledge is desperate to stop his aunt from trying to find him a wife. So he decides to distract her by procuring a second cat for her. His plan is working beautifully, until he meets pretty Jessie Selkirk. Now marriage is the only thing he thinks about. He’d like to be more than acquaintances, but convincing her of that might take some doing.

Purchase on Amazon tomorrow (will post link when it is live). Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

About the Author: 

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning sweet romantic tales that make you smile, giggle or laugh out loud. She, her husband, and their three cats, love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats, Maxwell, Roxy and Remmie, sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's. You know how selfish those little furry creatures can be.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, Jeep driving, farmhouse-dwelling romance writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women and the men who adore them. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her penchant for insisting all of her books have at least one cat in them. Or twelve. But hey, who's counting? 

Connect with Ruth on her Blog * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Review: 

I am a cat fan (only have 4 of our own) so I found this novella to be super cute. It is a sweet romance or more of a beginning to what will be a very sweet romance between the two main characters, Jessie and Baldwin. The characters are all very likeable along with each of the cats. Funny how a small little animal can bring people together. I started this book and couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting! If you are looking for a cute novella with no drama other than the cats this is a great book, maybe a bedtime story. Ruth keeps the story hoping from beginning to end with no shortage of the wonderful cats. I love Baldwin's eccentric Aunt who will get her way, one way or another.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*~

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Disney's Frozen ~ New Release Today!

March is a busy month for some great new Disney releases! Frozen is finally out on DVD/Blu-ray Combo pack! I know my daughter has been waiting as patiently as possible for it to come out and was very SUPER happy when it arrived on the doorstep for review! I would have to say this is her favorite Disney movie now.

"Walt Disney Animation Studios presents a chilly twist on one of the most humorous and heartwarming stories ever told. “Disney Animation’s best since The Lion King” (William Bibbiani, CraveOnline) will melt your heart. 

Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey — teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven — to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom."

My daughter loved watching this movie along with the bonus features. A said her favorites are the songs and she pretty much has them all memorized as she has watched the trailer and clips over and over again waiting for the movie to come on DVD. She loves the story and the snowman, Olaf. Of course A also loves the new princesses! A great movie for the whole family. I really enjoyed this movie and so did my son. We all sat around watching the deleted scenes and all the music videos. P loved the Making of Frozen as he loves all the behind the scene type of things.

Visit the Official Frozen website for photos, character info, games and so much more! 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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