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Book Review: Prophase by M.Street




Become swept away into a world of light just beyond our perception. 

Piper Walker, a high school senior, has seen her share of hard times. At a young age, she lost her mother to breast cancer shortly after her brother Charlie was born. Raising her baby brother under the wrathful eye of an abusive and alcoholic father, she relies heavily on her small, but tight core of friends. Lisa, her best friend from kindergarten, and Chris, her longtime boyfriend, help to keep her above water. Along with her friends, Piper’s elderly neighbor, Ester, and her lynx point Siamese cat, Jazz, become the extended family she never had. Even before her mom died, Piper always felt different. She was opposite of her popular best buddy Lisa, and didn’t enjoy doing what most other teenage girls liked to do. She wasn’t much for fixing up and thought hanging out was boring. Music and nature were her muses. Piper grew up next to a forest with countless paths, one of which led to the high school; the others to myriad of seasonal wonders. Piper spent countless hours in the woods exploring and finding solace in the trees, wild flowers, and every kind of animal. Although somewhat shy and insecure of her voice, Piper was lead vocals and a passionate bass player for a garage band called ‘The Coat Tails’ that consisted of Lisa, Chris, and their close friend Josh. Having never sounded better, they were sure to win the senior talent show. After a Spring Fling dance, a near-death experience prematurely rebirths Piper to her destiny, for not even she knows who she really is. Her identity has remained buried deep for her protection. She awakens to a dimension where light laden with emotions emits from everything around her. Overnight, Piper and her world are transformed into something radically different. What she thought was real was only the beginning, a thin veneer to actual reality. Universal truths are turned upside down. She wakes to a magical world with an ancient history and kingdoms of races. Life becomes way more beautiful, complex, and breathtaking than she ever imagined. A menagerie of supernatural and metallic gleaming mythical characters come to assist Piper to take her first steps in her new world and keep her safe. The realm of brilliant auras, feelings, and endless color surround her creating a language she doesn’t understand. She begins a long journey to discovering and mastering her powers and senses that defy fantasy. Riding gravity waves, casting spells, and leaping to exotic locations become her new curriculum. However, amongst the Eden lies a fatal danger. For centuries, a tyrannical rule has suppressed and strangled the enchanted world she is now part of. A most brilliant Guardian, named Eli, and his council, the Arbitri, have become the only voice. Evolution has stopped. Only Piper has the power to bring about change. Amongst the unspeakable beauty, unknown danger, and the desire to find out who she really is, Piper stumbles upon an unexplainable, first-time love that becomes the only thing that she can cling to in her stormy and unexpected life. From the first time his voice dances on her ear drums, she is taken by something wonderfully unreal. Piper now must juggle her two worlds – and disguise her increasing abilities and morphing appearance while attempting to be the slightly nerdy teenager everyone knows. This story captivates the imagination with the beauty of nature and the celebration of love, life, and light – and the power of one girl.








About the author:

Mitchel Street is an avid storyteller with an innate passion for fiction writing. He was raised in rural Wisconsin near the shores of Lake Michigan across from a small forest that became his second home. As an adult, M. Street has lived on the East Coast in Boston, on the West Coast in San Jose, and now resides South, in the great city of Austin, TX. A love for nature, art, spirituality, and science has been his foundation. He has been fortunate to have been adopted by cats, dogs, birds, frogs, turtles, and Monarch butterflies. His professional background is rooted in Engineering having earned a graduate degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is technically published (under a different name). He is currently creating Metaphase and Anaphase, the follow-on to Prophase, part of the Mitosis series.

You can follow Mitchel on his website, and/or facebook.

You may purchase Prophase through smashwordsamazon, or google play.



My Review:

This was a wonderful read!
I really enjoyed the world Mitchel created. It was a little slow in the beginning, but it was necessary for Piper's character development. It was difficult to put down once Piper has her near death experience, all the pieces of her past feelings begin to match, and answers are seeked out. Mitchel wrote a flawless read, I look forward to reading more from him!




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

Normal by Graeme Cameron ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis:

This is a love story. No, really.

He lives in your community, in a nice house with a well-tended garden. He shops in your grocery store, bumping shoulders with you as you pass him and apologizing with a smile. He drives beside you on the highway, politely waving to let you into the lane ahead of him.

What you don't know is that he has an elaborate cage built into a secret basement under his garage. And the food that he's carefully shopping for is to feed a young woman he's holding there against her will--one in a string of many, unaware of the fate that awaits her.

This is how it's been for a long time. It's normal...and it works. Perfectly.

Then he meets the checkout girl from the 24-hour grocery. And now the plan, the hunts, the room...the others. He doesn't need any of them anymore. He needs only her. One small problem--he still has someone trapped in his garage.

Discovering his humanity couldn't have come at a worse time.


Purchase a copy on Amazon.

About the Author:


Graeme Cameron is the author of almost three short stories, two country songs and literally dozens of angry emails, including such classics as This Doesn't Taste Like Chicken, The Car You Sold Me Is On Fire, and the hilarious and moving Re: Restraining Order (I'm in your house LOL).

Graeme lives in Norfolk and has never worked as a police detective, ER doctor, crime reporter or forensic anthropologist.

Connect: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads |

Review:

This book jumps right into the story with a murder first thing. You don't even get the main characters first name at any point in the book which puts more suspense in the whole thing. This is definitely a suspense/psychological thriller! The main character is just your average everyday person shopping at the supermarket or traveling the subway except he likes to kidnap girls, cage them up and then play chase before killing them. Erica is a bit different. I don't think he wants to kill her, I honestly think he wants the company. Erica is also a strange character. They are both have very odd behaviours and almost match each other in the mental issues. The main character wants to be loved and have love. We don't find out too much back history of him but we learn a bit about his father and how he got started in killing which he thinks is normal. Or at least it is to him.

The author does a great job grabbing the readers attention from the first page and holding us on every word. I found myself wondering what will happen next, the cops are right on his heels, will he get caught or will it work out for him in the end. Such a great story. I can't wait to read more from Graeme Cameron.

I give this book a 4.5 out 5 stars!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Tori Amos' First Two Albums Remastered

Yesterday, April 14th, Rhino Records released remastered versions of Tori Amos' first two albums ~ Little Earthquakes (1992) and Under The Pink (1994).  Each are available to be purchased as 2xCD sets with bonus discs including B-side, rarities and live tracks, and also on vinyl (for the first time ever in the U.S.)

Originally released in 1992 and 1994 respectively, the songs of Little Earthquakes and Under The Pink continue to live and thrive to this day. As Amos tells it, “Little Earthquakes was an acknowledgement of things that I hadn’t looked at in 15 years, in some cases… After you acknowledge something, you tell everybody, and other people say, ‘I know what that’s like, too.’ There’s this energy charge you get, and liberation from doing that.” She continues to find that the audience response to “Silent All These Years” remains deep and immediate nearly a quarter century later, counting it as her most requested song and one that walks with her every day. It will continue to do so as long as she is playing music.
Little Earthquakes (1992) Disc 1: Original Album
1. “Crucify”
2. “Girl”
3. “Silent All These Years”
4. “Precious Things”
5. “Winter”
6. “Happy Phantom”
7. “China”
8. “Leather”
9. “Mother”
10. “Tear In Your Hand”
11. “Me And A Gun”
12. “Little Earthquakes”

Bonus Disc 2

1. “Upside Down” (from Silent All These Years single)
2. “Thoughts” (from Silent All These Years single)
3. “Ode to The Banana King (Part One)” (from Silent All These Years single)
4. “Song for Eric” (from Silent All These Years single)
5. “The Pool” (from Winter single)
6. “Take To The Sky” (from Winter single)
7. “Sweet Dreams” (from Winter single)
8. “Mary” (from Crucify single)
9. “Sugar” (from China single)
10. “Flying Dutchman” (from China single)
11. “Humpty Dumpty” (from China single)
12. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (from Winter single)
13. “Little Earthquakes” (Live in Cambridge – Apr 5, 1992) (from Crucify single)
14. “Crucify” (Live in Cambridge – Apr 5, 1992) (from Crucify single)
15. “Precious Things” (Live in Cambridge – Apr 5, 1992) (from Crucify single)
16. “Mother” (Live in Cambridge – Apr 5, 1992) (from Crucify single)
17. “Happy Phantom” (Live) (from Silent All These Years single)
18. “Here In My Head” (from Crucify single)

Under The Pink (1994) Disc 1: Original Album
1. “Pretty Good Year”
2. “God”
3. “Bells For Her”
4. “Past The Mission”
5. “Baker Baker”
6. “The Wrong Band”
7. “The Waitress”
8. “Cornflake Girl”
9. “Icicle”
10. “Cloud On My Tongue”
11. “Space Dog”
12. “Yes, Anastasia”

Bonus Disc 2
1. “Sister Janet” [from Cornflake Girl single]
2. “Honey” [from Cornflake Girl single]
3. “Daisy Dead Petals” [from Cornflake Girl single]
4. “Over It” [from Cornflake Girl single]
5. “Black Swan” [from Pretty Good Year single]
6. “Home On the Range” (with Cherokee Addition) [from Pretty Good Year single]
7. “All The Girls Hate Her” [from Cornflake Girl single]
8. “God” (The CJ Bollard Remix) [from God 12”]
9. “Here in My Head” [live] [from Past the Mission single]
10. “Upside Down” [live] [from Past the Mission single]
11. “Past the Mission” [live] [from Past the Mission single]
12. “Icicle” [live] [from Past the Mission single]
13. “Flying Dutchman” [live] [from Past the Mission single]
14. “Winter” [live] [from Past the Mission single]
15. “The Waitress” [live] [from Past the Mission single]

Follow Tori Amos ~ToriAmos.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Stream online both albums!
 


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above products for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

BetterBody Foods Organic Coconut Extra Virgin Oil ~ Review

I have just recently jumped on board with the coconut oil fans. I will be 100% honest with you that I have never really liked the taste of coconut products. I wasn't even a fan of it in baked goods. Lately though I thought I would give it a try again as Coconut is good for you. My taste buds have changed over the years and I now enjoy coconut. I started out trying a small bit of coconut oil while sauteing veggies for stir fry and went from there. Now I enjoy coconut in baked goods, coffee and cooking my food in it. 

BetterBody Foods has a great Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil that is very tasty. It isn't an overpowering flavor. It gives your food just a nice hint of flavor and helps bring out the natural flavors in my veggies. My husband actually commented the other day that he really likes out veggies in the coconut oil now. 

BetterBody Foods Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is cold pressed from fresh coconuts. It is one of the healthiest oils in the world. It is full of MCTs, aka the good fats, it is an immediate source of energy. Being cholesterol-free it makes a great substitute for butter or margarine. I love to use it when I need to butter something for a meal!
Coconut oil can also be used outside the kitchen as a moisturizer, or for oil pulling, I love to use it to remove my Jamberry wraps. I just heat a little up and apply it to my nails. 

While being on the 21 Day Fix Extreme program it can be used as your tsps. Autumn will actually heat it up and drink it with her meals. 

I love to make Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups with it also.  So many great uses for coconut oil. Keep an eye out for more recipes that I post using coconut oil.

What do you use Coconut oil for? 
  

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above product for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups ~ Recipe

I know that it can be tough trying to keep on track with your clean healthy eating when everyone around us is eating chocolate from Easter. Yikes! I will admit I did find my hand in the chocolate bag a few times. It is okay, enjoy the treat and move on. No need to beat ourselves up over it. One thing I like to keep on hand is protein chocolate. I make a few batches and put them in the fridge for when I am craving that sweet treat.

They are super easy to make and they can be made a number of ways. Today I will share my basic Chocolate Peanut Butter cups with Garden of Life Raw Protein and BetterBody Foods Coconut oil and PBFit Peanut Butter.

Ingredients: 

1 scoop of Garden of Life Raw Protein (any flavor you choose) or Organic Plant Protein.
1 Tbsp BetterBody Coconut Oil
2 Tbsp PBFit
1 Tbsp water 
Directions: 

1. Mix 2 Tbsp of PBFit with 1 Tbsp water in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. In a glass bowl or measuring cup melt 1 Tbsp of coconut oil in the microwave (time depending on your microwave but I usually do 15 secs at a time til melted).
3. Add 1 level scoop of your choice of Protein powder to the melted coconut oil and stir.
4. Pour/spoon into molds or onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet or plate.
5. Add a tsp of Peanut Butter to each chocolate mold.
6. Freeze for 10-15 minutes and voila you have some healthy chocolate peanut butter cups!

Enjoy!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above products for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Hot Kellogg's Mini-Wheats ~ Recipes & Giveaway

During the winter or cooler mornings I love to start my day off with a warm breakfast of either oatmeal or eggs, recently I tried out Kellogg's Mini-Wheats hot! I don't know why I didn't think of this years ago as I used to love other similar cereals like this with warm milk. The whole family has been enjoying Mini-Wheats with warm milk or almond coconut milk and some berries. What a great way to get off to work or school in the mornings!

Here are a couple of our favorite recipes and continue on to the end of this post for a great Kellogg's giveaway!
Berry Nice to Heat You

Ingredients 
1/2 cup milk (whichever you use)
2 tbsp blueberries
2 tbsp sliced strawberries
2 tbsp raspberries
1 1/2 cup (approx. 28) Strawberry Flavour Mini-Wheats

Directions: 
1. Warm up your favorite milk.
2. Pour Strawberry Flavour Mini-Wheats cereal into a bowl and add the warm milk.
3. Sprinkle with fruit.
4. Dig into a berry nice bowl!

You Light Up My Bowl 

Ingredients
1/2 cup warm almond (milk of choice)
1 cup (approx 21) of Brown Sugar Flavour Mini-Wheats cereal

Direction:
1. Warm up favorite milk.
2. Pour 1 cup of Brown Sugar Flavour Mini-Wheats cereal in bowl and add warm milk.
3. Light up your day!

Maple Almond Twist

Ingredients 
1/2 cup warm almond milk
4 tbsp of slivered almonds
1 1/2 cup (approx 28) of Maple Flavour Mini-Wheats cereal

Directions:
1. Warm up milk
2. Pour Maple Flavour Mini-Wheats into bowl and pour in warm milk.
3. Sprinkle with almonds.
4. Go nuts!   

Giveaway time! Enter to win this awesome Kellogg's Mini-Wheat box! This giveaway is open to Canada only. Please make sure to do the mandatory entry. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Idiot's Guide: Yoga ~ Review & Giveaway!

As you might already know I have fallen in love with the art of Yoga. I am working on including Yoga into my week at least 2-3 times. I just love the feel I get when I am in the middle of a yoga flow and also how I feel afterwards. There is just something about being in the "now" when practicing yoga that I love. I totally let everything go and focus on my breath and my moves. I try to get the best stretch I can with every pose and work on relaxing my whole body.

When I got started into my yoga practice I just popped online and looked up Yoga videos. I founds tons of great beginner videos and such but I didn't stop to think it may be a better idea to grab a beginners guide with pictures to learn each pose and their names.

Book Synopsis:

For a person who has never attempted yoga before, it can seem downright daunting. Not anymore! Geared toward the absolute beginner, Idiot's Guides: Yoga teaches dozens of basic yoga poses using a series of full-color, step-by-step illustrations that allow you to clearly see how every aspect of a pose is executed. Realizing that most people who are new to yoga won't be the most flexible or coordinated, Idiot's Guides: Yoga eases the beginner into poses with sidebars demonstrating how to modify the poses for the less flexible and warnings to correct improper postures. The poses are also grouped in small sections, with a practice sequence at the end to show how to connect the poses into a routine. Idiot's Guides: Yoga also grows with you: when you've mastered the basic poses and become more flexible, you can move on to more advanced techniques for more challenging modifications to the basic poses. Best of all, you'll also learn how to string together poses into full routines that target particular issues such as stress and flexibility. Features include:
  • Clear, comprehensive color step-by-step instructions for dozens of basic yoga poses.
  • Handy "Keeping It Easy" sidebars show ways to modify the poses for the less flexible.
  • Advanced techniques show you how to go further into poses after you have mastered them.
  • Sequences illustrate routines found in yoga classes, each targeting a particular area (stress relief, flexibility, meditation, etc.).

Grab your copy today through the image below! 
Review:  

This is a fabulous guide that will help anyone master the basic and more advanced poses of yoga! This is a step by step book in full color photos. It also includes a section on breathing which is a huge part of yoga and can be tricky to just "pick up" without learning it from somewhere. I love that for each pose it is described in a small paragraph what the name is, what other names it goes by, what it will help with, and also if you have a certain injury etc it will let you know to avoid the pose. I also love the "Keep it easy" key where they give you an alternative to make the pose easier if you are not flexible or have less balance when starting out. After time you will become more flexible and have more balance but it is very nice to have the modifications so yoga learning is enjoyable.

The book isn't cluttered and that helps the photos stand out and make it easier to learn each pose as you go. I find you can easily put this book on the floor or a stand and try each of the poses. They also include a skill level on each pose which is great to know before getting into a pose.

The end of the book has a great section on the Eight Limbs of Yoga, Mindful Eating, Mudras, Chakras and Seated Meditation. All are brief but a great into for beginners not to get overwhelmed with all of it.  Now that you have learned tons of great yoga poses how do you put them together? No worries there as there is a whole section on sequences or yoga flows! I found this super helpful as you get to get comfortable with each pose and moving into the next also you can choose to do one or a couple at a time depending on what you are looking for. A flow for awakening, back pain, anxiety, bedtime, and so many other great ones. This is an all around great guide to Yoga. I have already recommended this book to numerous family members and friends that are interested in yoga.

I give this a 5 out of 5 stars! This is a great go to guide and have practiced some of the flows especially the awakening and bedtime ones. 

Win a copy! Our friends at DK Canada would like to offer one lucky Genuine Jenn reader their very own copy of Idiot's Guide Yoga. All you have to do is fill in the form below, making sure to do the mandatory entry! This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

OZ Naturals 20% Vitamin C Serum ~ Skin Care Review

I have always tried to be nice to my skin and keep it healthy by using a gentle cleaners and keeping it moisturized but there is really more to it then that. As we age our skin tone changes, sometimes we get blemishes, dry patches, uneven skin tone and wrinkles. It is best to start looking after our skin from a young age. I was recently approached by OZ Naturals skin care company to try out a couple of their serum.

About OZ Naturals 20% Vitamin C Serum:

- Proven to stimulate the synthesis of collagen which makes your skin appear years younger and more vibrant.
- Antioxidant properties that will reduce skin damage caused by the sun, pollution & cigarette smoke.
- Vitamin C helps to stimulate your skins rate of exfoliation for a brighter, smoother complexion.
- Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Boosts Collagen Production For An Instant Youthful Appearance
- Vitamin C Serum Contains an Amino Complex and Hyaluronic Acid For Superior Anti Aging Effects

Since using this product I have noticed that my skin is looks more vibrant and has a smoother appearance. It is super easy to use, the bottle comes with a dropper inside. You only need a few drops for your whole face and it smooths on really nice. As long as you put on a thin layer than it doesn't leave your skin sticky. There really isn't a smell to it which is great as it is on your face and that is one thing that can really effect allergies. It is made with 98% natural ingredients. I really do like this product and look forward to trying others by OZ Naturals. 

You can pick up a bottle on Amazon

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

The BIG Book COLOR: An Adventurous journey into the magical & marvelous world of color! by Walter Foster Jr ~ Kids Book Review

Book Synopsis: 

The Big Book of Color introduces children to the art and science of color through a fun and engaging, easy-to-understand approach. Young artists will be treated to an in-depth exploration of the wonderful world of color through simple step-by-step projects and unique educational content. Myriad creative exercises and projects throughout the book make learning color concepts fun and applicable, while perforated pages make it easy to display new masterpieces. With a plethora of fun projects, easy-to-understand concepts, and pages bursting with color,is sure to be a hit for young readers and budding artists everywhere.

Pick up a copy through Quarto Publishing Group USA

Review:

My daughter loves to draw and color so this was a huge hit with her. The book is geared for ages 5+ and teachings everything from a color wheel to learning to draw animals. I love how bright and interactive this book is. It is sectioned into learning about warm & cool colors, moods, color & value, mixing colors and each color with what things are in that color group along with shades of each color. Then there are activities for the kids to work on what they just learned. This is a great book for a budding artist to learn more than just "coloring" or "drawing" it takes learning art deeper than those.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars as my daughter has been learning tons about color and which are warm & cool colors and mixing colors. She is having a blast with this book! 


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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