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Meet the Author ~ Interview with Tiffany Daune ~ Giveaway!

Today I would like to Welcome Tiffany Daune to Genuine Jenn! It has been awhile since we have done a author spotlight and I am excited to share out interview with you! 


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

Coral & Bone is set in the Earth realm and the underwater realm of Elosia. I love mermaids and magic, so I thought why not bring them together. Of course I couldn't leave out shape shifters and sirens. I also love fantasy realms. Heck my husband says I live in one, so why not write about one. Coral & Bone is a meld of all my years of watching Disney movies and thrillers. 
 
When was your first book published?

My first novel Surface was published in 2012. Coral & Bone was published in 2014.

Are you currently working on anything?

I'm currently writing book two of the Coral & Bone series. I hadn't planned on writing a series, but the novel evolved and I found there was so much more I wanted to explore with Halen and Dax's characters. In book two, I'm taking my main character Halen on one heck of a ride, so she better hang on!

Why did you decide to become an Author?

Writing chose me. I started writing with the intent of publishing six years ago.

Who and what inspired you to write?

Stories are everywhere. I usually get my best ideas when I'm doing mundane things, like standing in line at the grocery store.

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

I prefer to get lost in the silence. I definitely have songs that inspire my work, but to actually get words on the page I need to be in a quiet place.

Who is your favorite character in your books?

I couldn't choose one. I love Halen for her vulnerability, Tage for her big heart and kick ass attitude, Ezra for his goofy sarcasm and Asair for his tortured past. Each character has a special quality whether admirable or loathsome that I adore.

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?

Sometimes if I need a reaction I think what would so and so do. I may not interpret it the same way when I go to write the scene, but it helps to get the character development on track. None of my characters are based on people I know though.

What is your favorite book of all time?

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

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

Mermaids, myths and magic are a must have in you TBR pile.

Connect: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter |

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

Tiffany would like to give one lucky Genuine Jenn reader a copy of her book! This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only. Good Luck!
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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 6" Tablet ~ Review

As you likely know I love to be connected to social media and have books on hand all the time so when I was asked to review the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 6" Tablet I didn't even think twice. I love my Paperwhite Kindle and wouldn't it be nice to have a tablet that can fit in my purse for on the go with the kids especially come summer with road trips?

First off lets get into the specifics of the Kindle Fire HD 6" Tablet and then I'll tell you how we like it. If you are in the market for a tablet or looking for one for the kids here is an affordable tablet under $150 (CAD) or $100 (US). It has a fast quad-core processor up to 1.5 GHz, it is a 6" HD screen that displays crisp, vivid HD with over a million pixels. It is great for apps, movies, TV, games, photos and more. So many to choose from with over 33 million!

There is a front and rear camera to take photos or capture videos in 1080p HD with the rear camera or you can Skype with the front-facing camera. Great for taking selfies as the kids love to do! No worries that the kids will use up all the storage space either as you get free unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos taken with your Fire device. 

It is a great device for the whole family with the following features - create unique profiles, set screen time limits with Amazon FreeTime. You can link two Amazon accounts and share books, games, apps, and Prime Instant Video content across all devices you may have in the household.

Other great features are the fast web browsing, email and calendar, edit and view Office documents and it works with Gmail & Outlook emails. 

Review: 

This is a great little tablet for all the basic needs that the kids and I love to do mobile. I use it for reading on the go or around the house, grabbing my emails, playing on Twitter. As long as you can get on wifi you can surf the internet. For offline, the kids love love reading books and playing games on it. They also love playing with the camera. I find it isn't the greatest but good for them. I am sure it is a good outside camera or just need better lightening.

My main reason for a tablet this size is social media, like Instagram, Twitter & Facebook, and reading my books that I am reviewing, I also love have it on the counter for recipes or keeping track of meal planning. The kids love it because they have their own profile to read their own books and then they can also play games, watch Netflix or YouTube. It is the prefect size to pop in my purse for times I am stuck somewhere waiting or the kids are bored on the wait. It has been great for car rides and it'll come in handy when sitting around waiting to get into appointments etc. 

I find it fits in the palm of my hand nicely while reading and I love that I can sync my Kindle Paperwhite with it as I still love that one to read in bed. I have used it for watching workout videos on YouTube. I couldn't find a good YouTube app but the browser worked just fine for it. Not a huge screen but it can be placed on a counter to watch easily. It runs pretty fast for a budget friendly price. I think this makes a great starter tablet or one for just on the go. It would be great for kids. 

It has the options to brighten the screen, rotate the screen, the home button is different that most so it is taking a bit of time to get used to it. Same with the lock screen only being swiped from right to left. 

A great tablet for a great price for what we use it for.  I give this tablet a 4.5 out of 5 stars!


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

Baby Comes Home by Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, A Parent's Guide






Unlike most baby care books, expert pediatrician and health communicator DR. PAUL Roumeliotis takes a unique approach by emphasizing what scientific advances have confirmed—that what happens early on in life affects one's overall health decades down the road.

Baby Comes Home communicates the latest science that explains how positive or negative early childhood experiences can have lifelong consequences. The book begins by describing the vital changes that occur in a baby's brain during the first 18 months. It then explores the new "Science of TLC", that shows how tender, loving, and caring relationships with babies help to positively shape their brains. The book then presents important practical information on safety in the home and outdoors, baby routines/patterns, immunizations, injury prevention, nutrition, and more. To complete this useful guide, DR.PAUL also reviews common baby care issues and concerns as well as illnesses and conditions commonly seen during the first few years of life. 

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, daycare teacher or child caregiver, this book is an excellent reference resource for your baby's current and future health, wellness and prosperity.



 DR. PAUL Roumeliotis is an expert on early child health and wellness and a health communications pioneer. His educational content has reached millions of people online and he is regularly featured on TV and radio. He is an adjunct professor of pediatrics and former director of Multi-Format Health Communications for the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. DR.PAUL also holds a Masters of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health where he is an Associate faculty member.

A health communications pioneer and pediatrician, DR.PAUL Roumeliotis believes that the future of healthcare is in communicating health information in a variety of media formats, thereby making It available to the largest audience possible. It was this vision that inspired him to become a writer/publisher/producer of multi-format health and wellness resources, including becoming the world’s first online pediatrician with a website that has been visited by millions since its launch in 1995.

Beginning as a professional drummer and record producer, DR. PAUL’s journey to his present vision actually preceded his medical career. In 1991, he merged his medical expertise and technical talents into the DR. PAUL Child Health and Wellness Information Project, reflecting his commitment to create practical and trustworthy health information resources in all formats. He has created and produced well over 300 productions (more than 1 million of his videos, cassettes, and DVDs have been distributed across North America).

DR.PAUL has been able to effectively merge his skills in producing information with accuracy, credibility, confidence, and comfort as a common theme. The potential social impact is enormous, as the need for accurate and empathetic health content is huge.

You can connect with Dr. PAUL through his websitetwitter, and on facebook.

You can purchase Baby Comes Home on Influence PublishingAmazon and, Barnes & Noble​.

My Review:

I was approached to complete an honest review of this book. My children are no longer newborns, my daughter is soon to be four (in May) and my son will be two (also in May). So you can understand I will have already surpassed most of what was covered, and being an attached parent I had a slight prejudgment as I do to most parent guides. What interested me to accept this offer was in it's synopsis; "communicates the latest science that explains how positive or negative early childhood experiences can have lifelong consequences". 

I greatly appreciated the fact Dr. PAUL recommends co-sleeping, breastfeeding, babywearing, extend car seat rear facing to the age of 2, and had NO mention of CIO as an 'effective way to achieve independent sleep'. I can't tell you how excited I was when I came across these chapters. Those topics were just my own personal win, although my AP style was very appeased the topics this books covers is substantially more than i've ever seen in any other book, and is definitely not directed to one particular type of parenting style. To name a few; water safety, car safety, healthy stimulation, nutrition information, milestone development, immunization, and an endless list of any childhood 'illness' you can ever expect and how to treat it, from nasal congestion, to hand foot and mouth etc.. This book has it all.

I would highly recommend this book for any new or expecting parent. If i had one small note to add to the book, it would be in the car seat safety section. To include the hazards of bulky snowsuits and how it compromises the child's safety when in a 5 point harness. He does mention a link for up to date car seat safety information.  

Dr. PAUL is giving away one copy of Baby Comes Home and a $30 Gift Card to shop at the Influence Publishing catalogue.​ Open to USA & Canada. Please enter below.
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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Cheryl. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Healthy Coffee Shop Style Coffee ~ Recipe

I am a coffee addict. I drink coffee and well I have tried to stop or cut down but it is really hard to. When I had a really bad sinus infection I was able to cut down to one a day or every second day depending on how my stomach felt but other than that I have a hard time cutting it out. I have went from drinking my coffee with cream and sugar to cream and sweetener, then to just cream, then homogenized milk, then to just regular 2% milk. Now I have found something even better! I can officially say I can drink my coffee without milk. Here is a really great treat and a great way to get some healthy fats into your body. If you love coconut flavor you will want to give this one a whirl.

Coconut Coffee 
Ingredients:

1 tsp coconut oil
1 cup of fresh brewed coffee of your choice
Pure flavor extract (optional)
Spice (Cinnamon, Apple pie spice or Pumpkin pie spice etc - optional)
1-2 tsp of your favorite protein powder ( I use Garden of Life or Renew Life Canada FitSmart ) This is something I just tried after writing this post so I have added it in. So tasty and a great way to get a bit more protein in.

Tools: 

Blender - I like my single serve Cuisinart blender

Directions:

Brew coffee, pour desired amount into your blender leaving space at the top for steam.

Add a teaspoon on coconut oil, extract & protein powder (both of these last two ingredients are optional).
Blend on low for 20-30 seconds. If you are using a regular blender be careful for steam escaping from the top. Maybe put a tea towel over it. I use my single serve blender and there isn't a vent. Just need to be careful when taking the top off.

Pour into coffee mug and sprinkle spice on top (optional).

Enjoy!   


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

PANTS! NO CHANCE! by Susan Lanyi ~ Book Review & Giveaway!

Book Synopsis:

Lulupop rarely puts up a fuss, except when it comes to wearing pants. Dresses, dresses, dresses, is all she will ever wear! With time, a little drama, and no lack of imagination, Lulupop realizes that wearing dresses is not always the best choice.

Purchase a copy on Amazon, Amazon.ca

About the Author:


Susan Lanyi lives in Montreal with her husband, three children and puppy. She is a writer and has previously been published in The Globe and Mail. When Susan is not busy writing or doing "mom stuff" she is shopping for dresses with her daughter….Too bad her daughter only wants to wear pants! ​​

Connect: Website | Twitter |

Review: This review is written by my daughter who is in grade 2.

I like this book because it is super funny. In the story there is a girl called Lulupop, she forgets about what happens on days that go past. I like that they put the day of the week and then kind of pants that her mom puts out for her on the beginning of the page. My moms favorite part is when Lulupop says "PANTS! NO CHANCE". My favorite part is the ending but I can't tell you about that or it will give away the end. I also love when Lulupop says "PANTS! NO CHANCE". I love the whole book. The pictures are really bright and detailed and look 3D. I like Lulupops big pillow!
I wish there was more color on some pages though. 

I give this book a 5 out of 5 Stars! I have read it over and over again. I have even read it to my mom a bunch of times.

Giveaway Time! ​One of 5 print copies of Pants! No Chance! Open internationally. Ends March 7
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This book review & giveaway has been part of the below Book Tour company.


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

My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic: Adventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders ~ DVD Review

New release today on DVD! My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic: Adventures of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is on sale today! This is another cute DVD of the famous My Little Pony friends. On DVD in the US & Canada. Purchase a copy on Amazon.

In EQUESTRIA, obtaining a CUTIE MARK is an important coming-of-age moment for a young Pony. After all, Ponies acquire their CUTIE MARKS only after they discover a unique characteristic about themselves, setting them apart from all other Ponies. So when Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom meet, they instantly become friends and make it their mission to find their CUTIE MARKS! They are The Cutie Mark Crusaders!

My Little Pony – Friendship Is Magic: Adventures Of The Cutie Mark Crusader episodes include - The Cutie Mark Chronicles, The Cutie Pox, Flight To The Finish, Pinkie Pride, and Twilight Time.

Review:

My daughter loves this new DVD of her favorite Pony friends but her favorite one is Twilight Time because the three cutie mark crusaders go to Twilights house and they learn some science and magic. The sing-along is another fun bonus on this DVD. My daughter has the song memorized now. If you have a My Little Pony fan I am sure they will love all the episodes included on this DVD as much as my daughter does.


Here is a fun printable colouring sheet! 


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

Clean Eating Challenge & Fitness Program

I have decided now that I am finished P90 that I would take my fitness & nutrition to the EXTREME for three weeks with Autumn Calabrese and her newest fitness & nutrition program called the 21 Day Fix Extreme.

This week is just the beginning of a three week adventure into carb depletion. The 21 Day Fix Extreme program is another Beachbody program that I decided to buy and try out. I am not a coach at the moment ( I am thinking about becoming one because I would love to help others achieve their fitness goals but that is something for another post all together). Anyways with this new program you have a few choices you can either follow the Extreme eating plan, no treats or cheats, the Extreme plan with a 3 day carb depletion to finish or you an follow the Countdown to Competition plan which Autumn uses for her photo shoots or bikini competitions. I decided after lots of thinking about it that I would go Extreme and use the Countdown to Competition plan. Why not right? The whole "Go Big or Go Home" thought came to mind when I was deciding. I also wanted to see what I could achieve with this program.

I am part of an accountability which will help me stay accountable and I will be sharing my food & exercise on here, Twitter and Instagram. I will try and update Facebook also but I am finding my posts are not reaching my fans as much as my other social channels so I have been spending more time there. Also both Instgram & Twitter are a lot of fun! Come join me!

Over the next three weeks I will be committing to more than just the Extreme workouts that this program has to offer, I will be dialing in on my nutrition. 70-80% of our results are made in the kitchen so here it is, a clean eating plan to get my body on track and ready for the rest of my life. I am not doing this for quick weight loss. I am doing this as a life style change to help keep me fit, healthy, strong and happy. I will be giving up on treats and getting tons of fresh foods and proteins. I will be avoiding boxed foods, anything with ingredients that I cannot pronounce or have no idea what they are. I am going back to the basics I guess you could say, back to the days where there wasn't so many quick packaged highly processed foods for available for us to buy and prepare.

The best part of this is I wont be starving myself to get my body where I want it. I will be doing it safely by eating tons of food, more food than I am actually used to. It will be less starchy carbs than I am used to but that is okay as my body doesn't need as much as I have been eating. Healthy carbs, proteins and fats will be on the menu.

I will share my menus and some tasty recipes to help everyone on their journey to a fit, healthier, happier you. Planning the countdown to competition menu wasn't easy at all as the food bracket I am in calls for 9 proteins on certain days! It was hard to figure that out. On those days I only eat a 2 starchy carbs. Lots of veggies on all days and no fruit on some. This will be a challenge but I am totally up for it.

The workouts for this program are all EXTREME, including weights with most and the yoga is not a beginners yoga. There is a modifier though in each workout and I am sure beginners would be able to follow along. The plan is to workout daily for 30 minutes of intense fitness with an active recovery day being the yoga. I will let you know how these are going once I get started this week. Today is Plyo Extreme and it definitely was no joke. My legs are on FIRE! I am wondering how they will feel tonight or tomorrow.


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

Green Juicing Diet: Green Juice Detox Plan for Beginners-Includes Green Smoothies and Green Juice Recipes ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis: 

Discover optimal health on a green juice diet.

Green juice recipes are not only an easy and delicious way to get your daily intake of vitamins and minerals, but drinking green juice from fruits and vegetables is proven to significantly reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. A green juice diet is one of the most beneficial types of diets, with flavorful green juice recipes high in necessary nutrients and healing antioxidants.
Whether you are looking to lose weight, cleanse your system or are seeking a daily health supplement, the Green Juicing Diet provides a nutritional path to a healthier you through the power of green juice.

The Green Juicing Diet will show you how to maximize your health through green juice recipes, with:

Dozens of easy and delicious green juice and green smoothie recipes
Step-by-step guidance for starting your own green juice cleanse
Dozens of quick and easy green juice and green smoothie recipes to detox, lose weight, and boost your immunity
Advice on improving hair and skin health through the healing benefits of juicing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices

Green Juicing Diet: Green Juice Detox Plan for Beginners is a quick and delicious way to lose weight, improve health, boost immunity, and feel more energized.

Purchase a copy on Amazon.

Review:

I make basic smoothies for breakfast or after my workouts but haven't ventured into "green" ones that much. This is a great beginners guide for juicing and smoothies. This book explains why you should juice or make smoothies, the differences for both and the benefits of both. A chapter on equipment needed especially good if you are thinking about juicing. The section I liked the best was the one about the fruits and veggies that are common to use, their tastes and benefits to using them. The book ends will a section with some great recipes that I can't wait to try out and see how they will help me on my journey to becoming healthier. If you are looking for a juicing cleanse there is a whole chapter on this. I am not sure I could to that yet but maybe in the future.

I give this book a 4.5 stars out of 5


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

Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes: A Vegan Cookbook with 106 Quick & Easy Recipes ~ Review

Book Synopsis:

Create delicious, filling vegan meals in under 30 minutes!

Take the stress out of making hearty vegan meals with the easy recipes in Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes. This handy kitchen guide is perfect for the busy vegan cook who wants to whip up satisfying, wholesome vegan meals using everyday kitchen utensils and afforda-ble ingredients from you local grocery store. With simple, straightforward recipes, quick tips for easy meal prep and storage, and helpful meal plans, Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes will help you get nutritious vegan meals on the table in no time.

Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes makes it easy to create balanced vegan meals, with:

• 106 mouthwatering recipes such as Vegan Chocolate Macaroons, Spicy Nut But-ter Noodles, and Sweet Potato & Kale Hash
• 141 pantry, freezer, and grocery staples
• Easy-to-follow weekly meal plan
• 23 ideas for easy meal preparation and storage to save you time and money
• 10 tips for a happy and hearty vegan life

With quick, tasty recipes, Vegan Recipes in 30 Minutes will make your vegan meals as simple as they are delicious.

Purchase a copy on Amazon.  

Review:

This has been a great addition to my cookbooks especially with my new fitness & nutrition journey. I have been taking away starchy carbs and adding more veggies. This book includes so many tasty and easy recipes that my whole family will enjoy! This is a great beginners guide to becoming Vegan or at least adding more vegetables to your diet. At the beginning of the book they go into explaining what Veganism is and the guidelines & rules for being Vegan. How to get the vitamins that you need while eating Vegan and What and What not to eat. I love how the ingredients in the recipes are very simply and can be found in your local grocery store, which is great as I don't live in a city with the specialty sections that have a great selection. All in all a great cookbook! 

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars! A great cookbook for people looking to start eating more vegetables or becoming Vegan.


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

The Monster That Ate My Socks by A.J. Cosmo ~ Children's Book Review & Kindle HD Giveaway!

Book Synopsis:

A young boy, who is about to be grounded for going through so many socks, discovers that a monster has been eating them.

Max is a young boy who is constantly getting in trouble for his socks disappearing. He doesn’t know where they go, but he does know that if he doesn’t do something quickly his mom will ground him for summer. Max soon discovers that a little green monster is sneaking into his room at night and eating his sweaty socks. His mother, of course, doesn't believe him, so Max calls on his best friend to come for a sleepover to catch the monster. They devise a trap and capture the monster only to learn that the creature can speak. It hasn’t meant to cause any harm, it's just trying to feed its family. The monster shows them his home and his three little children and begs the boys not to turn them over to the adults. Adults, he says, want to destroy monsters.

The boys are left in a pickle. Allow the monsters to be and get grounded, or turn the monsters in knowing what will happen to them? Neither idea seems good, so they come up with a new plan!

Purchase a copy on Amazon

About the author:

A.J. Cosmo's stories are crafted to help parents teach their children simple everyday lessons in an easy to understand manner. By artfully marrying beautiful illustrations and language, children are challenged to explore his magical worlds. Written for the transitional reader, A.J.'s stories allow your child to develop and master a new level of reading.

Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter |

Review: This review is by my son, P, who is 8 years old. 

I really like this story because there are three cute little monsters that need food from their dad. The story is about a boy who plays soccer and has dirty socks. At night a monster comes and eats his socks. I like the part where the boy and his friend trap the monster and ask him question about why he is still the socks.  I love the illustrations of the cute monsters and found this book to be very entertaining. I think anyone who likes monster would like this book. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars! 

Mom's review: I thought this was a great kids book. The illustrations are very colourful and fun. It isn't a long book so it is great for new readers to get into more novel type reading. My son loved this book and read it to his sister who also enjoyed it. I love that at the end of the book there is a lesson plan which is a great way to see what your child thinks about the book and getting them to let you know the beginning, middle and end of the story. Great book!  

Giveaway time! Enter to win one of two Kindle Fire HD 16 GB! This giveaway is open to US & Canada

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This review and giveaway has been part of a book blog tour. Follow the rest of the tour!


~*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.*~

Seven FREE Teen Books with Girls Who Don't Need A Hero!

RiotGirls
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Riot Girls: Seven Free Teen Books With Girls Who Don't Need A Hero: A Young Adult SciFi, Fantasy, Dystopian, and Paranormal Box Set Get for FREE on Amazon!  

Riot Girls: Seven Free Teen Books With Girls Who Don't Need A Hero is a collection of Young Adult Speculative Fiction (Fantasy/SciFi/Dystopian/Paranormal) for readers who like it when a girl can take care of herself. These teens don't sit around waiting for someone to rescue them from their situation, they act! The collection has something for everyone--dystopian societies, trained assassins, strange creatures (faeries, vampires, werewolves, and zombies), super heroes, and witches. What binds our stories together is our heroines--girls who have the inner and outer strength to take care of themselves.

Included in the collection:

 xGeneration 1: You Don't Know Me - Genre: SciFi / Superhero - Full Length Novel (95,000 words). Fourteen-year-old Janis Graystone is mostly worried about soccer, school, and keeping her older sister from running her life. But when strange things start happening to her including out-of-body experiences and the sense someone is watching her, she finds herself working with an unlikely but loyal ally to discover the source of the danger she senses around her. Rated PG-14 (Language).  

The Blemished: Blemished #1 - Genre: SciFi / Dystopian - Full Length Novel (85,000 words). Below average and imperfect in a world of stunning clones, Mina Hart is denied an education and a normal life. But when she meets a new friend's mysterious brother, she finds herself willing to share a dangerous secret...

 Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, oh my! - Genre: Paranormal - Full Length Novel (50,000 words). Xoe Meyers liked her normal small-town life. But things change fast when the new guy in town turns out to be a werewolf who goes after her best friend in a big way. Determined to save her friend, she finds herself allied with creatures she never knew existed in a battle that threatens all their lives. Rated PG-13 (Language).  

Magic Unbound: Book One in the Fae Unbound Series - Genre: Contemporary Urban Fantasy - Full Length Novel (45,000 words). Not-quite-sixteen year old Lizbet Moore expects a boring last month of summer vacation. What she wasn't expecting was a fifteen-hundred-year old fae hiding in her back garden. Murderous monks, memories of her past lives, and the race to save the fae from destruction change her summer in ways she could never have imagined.  

Avoidables: Book 1 - Genre: Fantasy / Dystopian - Serialized Novella-length Fiction (25,000 words). Hope is an Avoidable in a world that belongs to the Perfects. She was born with only one arm, but when she discovers that her disability is actually a gift, she joins a group of rebels who are determined to change the rules of her society. Rated PG-14 (Language, Mature Situations).  

Chronicles of Steel: Raven 1: Episode 1 - Genre: Fantasy / Steampunk - Short Serialized Novelette (17,300 words). Raven was trained by her father to be a Reaper. Just as she's saved enough lives to redeem the ones she's taken, she agrees to take on a last mission that's too important to ignore. Will it force her back into the life she's trying to escape?  

Halloween Magic & Mayhem by Stella Wilkinson - Genre: Paranormal / Comedy Romance - Novelette (15,000 words) . On her sixteenth birthday, Emily Rand discovers she is a powerful witch. Her experiment with a spell accidently turns a ghost back into a boy and reanimates a group of zombies. It will take all of her power to undo what she has done. Rated PG-13 (Language).  

Please note: Riot Girls contains books by authors from both the United States and Great Britain. Spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction can be different from what is correct grammar on the "other side of the pond".


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

Food Lovers Fat Loss System ~ Review


One of the biggest challenges I had with my weight over the last few years was staying away from eating so many starchy carbs and not eating enough fruits & veggies. I struggled with working overnights and eating only junk on those nights. Other days I wouldn't eat at home thinking that would be a good way to keep off some weight. I walked and walked and walked but nothing. I would lose a bit of weight in the spring and summer only to gain it all back and then some in the winter months. Last winter I was able to maintain the weight which I was a least happy I didn't gain anymore.

It was time to figure out my eating habits once and for all and get that metabolism working for me not against me. I saw a infomercial (yes, I can hear you saying scam, scam, behind the computer monitor but keep reading) about this weight loss system that is based on eating not on working out. Yes, it includes a couple workouts on DVD but it isn't focused on exercise. How can this be the real deal you say?

First off I want to say I am not a Dr or nutritionist, I am merely reviewing the system on how I feel about it and how it worked for me. Don't forget to talk to your Dr before starting a weight loss system or exercise program. 
The Food Lovers Fat Loss System is a way of eating, it gets you feeding your body the foods that will work together to get your body into fat burning mode. This system is really what clicked for me and made me realize there is a way of pairing up food to get the best for your body & metabolism. It taught me portion size, what is fast & slow carbs, how much water to drink in a day and how often you should be eating & why.

When the system arrived I pulled it out super excited to get started right away and then I sat down with it all and got overwhelmed. There is SO much information with this system! The system is broken into three parts - 1 Reset Your Metabolism, 2 Lose the Weight & 3 Keep It Off... Forever.

It comes in a nifty box all organized into the three categories. Instead of looking at everything just pull out the 1st box and start there. You can do this! I made the mistake of peeking at everything. Yikes! I want to go through each section and tell you what I thought of each in my review.

1. Reset Your Metabolism: 

This is your starting point! Included in this book is a booklet on how to make a Fat Loss Plate. It will give you the information need to help you pair the right foods together on your plate. There are a few different versions of plates that you can use all to fuel your body to burn fat. This is where we learn how to portion control by eyeballing foods and measuring. We are also taught what can be categorized as protein, fatty protein, fast carbs, slow carbs and fat. You will also learn the reasons why this system works.

In the next booklet you will have a 21 day guide to Metabolism Makeover & a rapid results journal where you an keep track of all the foods you eat and the water intake each day.

Another fabulous source in this section are the cds! There are five cds that go along with the 21 Day kick start. I loved popping these in during the day or on my commute to work. It was packed full of information that will help you each and every day.

The thing I love about this system is how it has you do something else each day. It isn't one of those "diets" that you jump in head first. You will ease into this life journey and enjoy each day to a new you. I wasn't a huge fast food person because over the years my body has started to disagree with those foods but we still enjoy having hamburgers, pizza etc at home. This system allows you to eat the foods you enjoy but pair them with other foods that will allow your body to be a fat burning machine.

2. Lose the Weight:

This is likely the best part of the whole system! Its all about the food. Lots and lots of tasty and easy recipes that will have your whole family wanting to eat it with you. There are so many recipes that you are sure to find some family favorites. The one thing I love is the breakfast ideas as I have never been a breakfast person. I have taken a lot of these recipes to help get a quick and easy breakfast into myself and also my daughter. The recipes are easy to make, they are pretty much regular everyday meals just tweaked to make them healthier.

I also the classic comfort food recipe cards. They are so handy to have in the kitchen for comfort food nights and treats. I also love the treat book with some tasty recipes to make and also the ones that are a better choice to choose in store. The one booklet also has great information on how to dine out including Food Lovers favorite restaurants and tips for what to order and ask your waiter for.

These booklets have made it onto my favorite recipe shelf as they are easy to make and taste great.

There is also a 7 day sizedown booklet to lose up to a pant or dress size in a week. This has everything you need to be able to complete this 7 day program right down to some tasty salad dressings. The menu is also made out in the booklet with all the recipes. I haven't tried the 7 day plan but I have tried a few of the recipes and love them. I plan on trying this one a little closer to the summer.

3. Keep It Off... Forever:

So you have lost the weight and need to keep it off. This section helps with tips on how add back your favorite foods after reseting your metabolism and keeping the weight off. There are tons of blank food tracking sheets in this book also to help you keep track of what you are eating & drinking. It also has tips on how to shop smart. There is also a CD to go along with this section and is a great resource.

There are also some workouts included in this system but I didn't end up using them as I was doing my P90 program. I do think they would be great workouts for beginners and really suggest people use them if they don't already have an exercise program they are doing. There is also a calendar to help you get active and achieve your goals!

Overall:
 
This is a great system for anyone who needs to get a hold of their eating habits one step at a time, learning everything they need about how to fuel their body with the right foods at the right time with the right portions. I highly recommend this program for anyone starting out on their weight loss journey as it is a way of life not a diet! Once I figured out how to pair my foods together the right way, eating the right portion size and eating every 2-3 hours really got my metabolism into fat burning mode and the weight has been burning off. It'll become a habit when you reach for food or a snack and you wont be worried to have a cookie or a hamburger as you will know how to turn that meal into a fat burning meal.


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

Race for your life, Charlie Brown ~ Movie Release + Review


Charlie Brown fans will be excited for the newly remastered Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown. A full length Classic Peanuts film that was release in 1977. Run time of 76 minutes on Widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions. Rated G, along with subtitles in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese

About the movie: 

"Ah, the joys of camp: The fresh air! The lousy chow! The obnoxious kids from that other tent! But Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, Woodstock and all the rest are ready to face whatever camp throws at them.  And when the day of the Big Rafting Race comes around, they’ll fearlessly take to the water, pitting the boys against the girls – and Snoopy and Woodstock against all of them – as they face raging rapids, wild weather, and sneaky sabotage from a bevy of bunkhouse bullies. Teamwork, courage and leadership are the keys to success. Will Charlie Brown have what it takes to be a leader?"

You can pick up a copy at your favorite stores that sells movies or on Amazon

My kids loved this movie. I remember watching Charlie Brown when I was their age so this movie brought back lots of memories from my childhood. I absolutely love Charlie Brown. The kids love the characters and caught the meaning of the story right away. They were super happy that Snoopy & Woodstock took part in the Race also. They laughed throughout this video. It is a great family movie! 


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

Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last by Froswa' Booker-Drew ~ Book

Book Synopsis:

"Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last" is a workbook for women who understand the value of relating to others, both professionally and personally. The book provides 29 Rules of Engagement to help the reader understand how to do more than just share your name and address. Building a network can be challenging. As a businesswoman and a mother, you don't know if you have the time or energy to find and develop new relationships. Have you ever attended a conference expecting to meet numerous people and collect business cards from those who can be a valuable asset to you both professionally and personally, however when you try to follow up you discover that everyone is busy and you get no return calls. A friend introduces you to someone you would really like to get to know, but after a few minutes of chit chat, your new acquaintance walks away disinterested. Helping women develop the kind of relationships that pay valuable dividends to everyone involved is the goal of Froswa' Booker-Drew in this book, Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last. This powerful workbook will not only equip you with the information you need, but the workbook format will walk you through the exercises to make it a reality.

Purchase a copy on Amazon or Austin Brothers Publishing

About the Author:
Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew has an extensive background in nonprofit management, partnership development, training and education. She is currently National Community Engagement Director for World Vision, serving as a catalyst, partnership broker, and builder of the capacity of local partners, facilitating the emergence and strengthening of community-led initiatives to improve and sustain the well-being of children and their families. She supervises staff in several locations around the United States. She is a member of the Texas Nonprofit Council which provides recommendations to the legislature on policy that impacts nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Froswa' has been a part of the AWOW International Girls Leadership Initiative offering consulting, curriculum and program development providing instruction to girls in the US and in Ghana. She also assists a number of organizations such as the Greater Dallas Community Development Corporation, The Red Umbrella, Womanars.com, and the Texas Christian Community Development Network as a consultant, board member, trainer or adviser.

She was a part of the documentary, Friendly Captivity, a film that follows a cast of 7 women from Dallas to India. She was a semi-finalist for the SMU TED Talks in 2012, received the Girlfriends Rock Award, 2013 Recognized Alumni from the History Department of the University of Texas at Arlington, 2012 Outstanding African American Alumni Award from the University of Texas at Arlington, 2009 Woman of the Year Award by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and was awarded Diversity Ambassador for the American Red Cross. Froswa' graduated with PhD from Antioch University in Leadership and Change with a focus on relational leadership and social capital in August 2014. She attended the Jean Baker Miller Institute at Wellesley in June 2013 for training in relational cultural theory and has completed training on Immunity to Change based on the work of Kegan and Lahey of Harvard. She has also completed training through UNICEF on Equity Based Evaluations and is a member of the American Evaluation Association. She is the author of the book, Rules of Engagement: Making Connections Last. The workbook helps women build identity and psychological capital that can result in stronger social capital. She is collaborating on the upcoming book as a co-author, Women's leadership: A contemporary and collective approach for the 21st century. Froswa' was a workshop presenter at the United Nations in June 2013 on the Access to Power and participated in the International Dialogue on Relational Learning and Leadership Conference in October 2013. She also writes for a variety of publications around the world and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Connect: Twitter | Website |

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

Changing Habits for a Better Me

Over the last few years I think I really just floated through my life doing what was needed for everyone around me but not really working towards a healthier self. Last summer I had really had enough. Over the last few years I have had some issues with allergies, my knees, legs and back. I know this is from what I have been doing or not doing to my body. I had really just given up on things that made me healthy and happy and just lived. Not anymore, I really was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have decided that I needed to take care of myself to be the healthiest I can be so I can show my kids how to take care of their own bodies and live a long happy, healthy life.

I started with moving more but without changing your diet (I really dislike that word as everyone seems to think of it as something bad or starving yourself. Instead lets called it nutrition), you will have a harder time becoming the healthiest that you can be. Nutrition is a HUGE part in healing the body and dropping weight. It is a life style change that you need to be able to live with and continue to see the results and keep the weight off. Eating healthy doesn't have to be hard or taste horrible. I guess if you hate veggie and fruit this may be a hard adjustment. I love to eat healthy I just lost the portion size and loved my treats in the evening with the hubby. I also ate out of boredom and for comfort.

If you are looking to change your life to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle fad "diets" that you do for a certain period isn't the way to go. I know some people have done well losing the weight but then after the "diet" went back to eating the same and not exercising gaining all plus more of the weight back. Since starting my journey I have been reading everything I can get my hands on and talking to everyone I can about becoming healthier. Starting small is really what has helped me. Start by adding more water each day. Add a new veggie to your dinner plate that you wouldn't normally eat. Cut out a starchy carb and reach for a protein instead when looking for your next snack. I started out with The Food Lovers Fat Loss system, which I will be reviewing on here soon. It is a great way to get started as you can still eat the foods you love but learn the right portion size and how to pair your foods together to turn your body into a fat burning machine!

How about this weekend drink an extra 8oz glass of water a day and cut out one starchy carb snacks with protein? Lets get healthy together in 2015! Are you with me? Leave a comment below, follow on Twitter or on Instagram (where I post what I am eating and doing for workouts)


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

Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis: 

Tallulah de Longland,' she said slowly, letting all the Ls in my name loll about lazily in her mouth before passing judgement. 'That,' she announced, 'is a seriously glamorgeous name.'

From the day Annabelle Andrews sashays into her classroom, Tallulah 'Lulu' de Longland is bewitched by Annabelle, by her family, and their sprawling, crumbling house tumbling down to the river.

Their unlikely friendship intensifies through a secret language where they share confidences about their unusual mothers, first loves, and growing up in the small, coastal town of Juniper Bay. Their lives become as entwined as Annabelle's initials engraved beneath the de Longland kitchen table.

But the euphoria of youth rarely lasts, and the implosion that destroys their friendship leaves lasting scars and a legacy of self-doubt that haunts Lulu into adulthood.

Years later, Lulu is presented with a choice: remain the perpetual good girl who misses out, or finally step out from the shadows and do something extraordinary. And possibly unforgiveable.

It's not how far you fall, but how high you bounce.


Purchase a copy on Amazon.

About the Author:

Frances Whiting is one of Australia’s best known and most popular writers. A senior feature writer for Queensland’s premier weekend magazine, Q Weekend in the Courier Mail, Frances is also a much loved columnist for the Sunday Mail, and other Sunday newspapers around Australia, with her weekly column now in its nineteenth year. Two bestselling collections of her columns have been published in Australia: Oh to Be a Marching Girl (2003), and That’s a Home Run, Tiger! (2006). Frances lives in Brisbane, Queensland with her husband and two children.

Connect: Facebook | Twitter |

Review:

I really enjoyed this book. Right from the beginning it had me hooked on the story, with it starting right from the affair Tallulah has with her first love on his wedding night. The story is like a flashback telling us how Tallulah gets into bed with him. Right from when she meet Annabelle Andrews. I really wasn't fond of Annabelle. There is just something that rubbed me the wrong way right from the beginning. I fell in love with Tallulah and could really feel for this character through her life journey. I will say I cried my eyes out a few times during this book. It is great to have been so emotionally attached to the characters. Keep a box of tissue close. Tallulah is a caregiver from such an early age that she doesn't really know how to live a life without caring for others. This takes her through many emotional relationships with friends and family. This story was well written and you could tell that the author put her heart & soul into these characters, developing them and their lives. I really didn't want to put this book down and hope that there will be a second book!

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars! You really should read it.


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

Dangerously Forever Book Review and Giveaway





Loving Dangerously, Book Five
Being kidnapped by a deadly—and dead sexy—brothel slave wasn’t exactly what Kiehle Xochis signed up for. His instructions had been simple: Watch over the human female until his brother and his mate arrived to rescue her. Instead, the slave has decided to liberate herself. She’s proving to be more than Kiehle can handle—and he kind of likes it.
Allysan Miller has gone through hell since being taken from Earth during an invasion. She’s finally found a way to escape the latest, and worst, of the brothels she’s been sold to. Now if Ally plays her cards right, she could gain both freedom and love…if she can learn to trust the dangerous male she’s chosen as her hostage.
Inside Scoop: Ally suffers her share of abuse at the hands of a brothel owner’s guards. But don’t worry. The feisty female warrior gives as good as she gets.
A Romantica® SciFi erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave   




 About the author:

A. M. Griffin is a wife who rarely cooks, mother of three, dog owner (and sometimes dog owned), a daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She’s a hard worker whose two favorite outlets are reading and writing. She enjoys reading everything from mystery novels to historical romances and of course fantasy romance. She is a believer in the unbelievable, open to all possibilities from mermaids in our oceans and seas, angels in the skies and intelligent life forms in distant galaxies.

You can follow A.M Griffin on twitterfacebookgoodreadsamazon, and her website.


You can purchase Dangerously Forever on amazon.


My review:


I'll be completely honest, I was sceptical. "Alien Invasion" are two words in a synopsis that I generally close up and move on with, but I was intrigued. I'm glad I went back to this book, as I was completely engaged from the beginning. I started this book on monday night, and was (sadly) done by tuesday evening.
In full disclosure there is abuse endured by the main character but she is a being to be reckoned with and definitely doesn't let her abuser's get far.

Ally is captured during the invasion on earth, she had no one but her best friend Eva, until during one auction they became separated. Sadly years pass, and Ally's hope of being reunited become further and further as she is sold from brothel to brothel, traveling light years, and galaxies. She's constantly sold as she has a history of beating and killing her customers. She doesn't take kindly to their rough hands even if it's her job to please them, she's a slave, but she will hold onto what power she can and that often meant ending the lives of those who tried to take hers.

Soon enough she finds herself living in the worst of the worst. This brothel owner breaks all the rules, and while he enjoys the trouble she causes he soons find something she will 'behave for'. It's a young child, an orphan, his pet, his slave. If she doesn't stop killing and hurting his customers and guards he will put the child to work in the brothel. She will never let that happen.
Soon on another galaxy, light years away Eva has found out where Ally is. She can't get there on her own just yet, but she knows someone who can get to her and keep her safe. That someone is Kiehle. Kiehle a sexy, wealthy, warrior. The brothel owner is only too happy to accommodate his stay, and to welcome his money. When he finds that Kiehle is interested in his most unlikely slave, he's more than happy to send Ally to him. Ally doesn't usually find herself so attracted to a customer, but there's something about him.
Soon he finds himself tied and being held hostage by the adorable being he was sent to keep watch over, but there's no way for him to tell her as there are bugs everywhere for the brothel owner to hear. He amuses her as she takes him hostage and plots her escape, his heart soon changes from lust to love when he discovers she's taking the orphan children slave 'pets' with her and him.
The adventure continues as soon after her escape she finds out what his true meaning to being at the brothel to find her, but she trusts no one. 

I give this book 5 bright shining stars as it was beyond my every expectation, and I recommend it if you're looking for a sci fi romance, that will make you laugh, cry, and keep you wanting more.
18+ for sexual scenes, the book takes place in a brothel setting, but there is an anti-slave hero and his desire for a more kinder human interaction from all galaxies that makes this story complete.

Please enter below for your chance to win a copy of the book, and a $10 amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway  





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

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