Beer Money Book Tour + Giveaway!

Beer Money

In the explosive opening to an exciting new mystery series, private investigator Burr Ashland learns that his best friend, a history professor, has been murdered. Burr is plunged into an investigation that puts him in the middle of a violent struggle not just between the present and the past, but between good and evil. With nonstop action and breakneck twists, BEER MONEY is the next bestseller from Dani Amore, who Mystery Tribune calls “A sensation among Kindle owners who love fast paced thrillers.”

About Author Dani Amore

Dani Amore is a bestselling crime novelist living in Los Angeles, California. She is the winner of the winner of the 2011 Independent Book Award for Crime Fiction. Her books include THE CIRCUIT RIDER (A KINDLE SERIAL), The Mary Cooper Mystery Series, THE KILLING LEAGUE, The John Rockne Mystery Series, and TO FIND A MOUNTAIN.  

Follow Dani Amore Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Pinterest  

Purchase Beer Money on Amazon.

The author is giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card. Fill out the form to enter! a Rafflecopter giveaway
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~*Disclaimer: This post was posted by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Promotional Book Tours. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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The Key Inheritance by Jen McConnel Book Review

ADD TO GOODREADS

Ten years after the trip to Scotland that changed her life, Lou is back in the misty, magical country. This time, however, she’s not on vacation: Lou is there to settle some distasteful and depressing family business. When Brian, her old Highland fling, turns up, Lou is forced to wrestle with a past that she thought was dead and buried. As tension between the former lovers mounts, something wicked is stirring in Scotland. Lou must use all her strength to handle the increasingly desperate situation, but will she be strong enough to battle both a vengeful ghost and her heart?

The Key Inheritance is a novella that takes place a decade after the events of The Burning of Isobel Key. This contemporary story crosses into the supernatural as Lou discovers evidence of a long-dead spirit who refuses to rest in peace. Lou may have thought that she was finished with the witch Isobel Key, but her inheritance is more than the young woman can handle alone.

 Want to purchase The Key Inheritance? You can buy it for $1 on Amazon. 

My thoughts: This is the second book in the series and I couldn't wait to get it on my e-reader. The first book ends where you are left to wonder if Lou will ever see Brian again or what will happen when she meets her biological family. This book picks up 10 years later when Lou goes back to Scotland to take care of some family matters, things have changed over the past 10 years but she meets Brian when she arrives. They have their ups and downs emotionally as would be expected after how Lou left Brian standing at the airport when he asked he to stay in Scotland 10 years ago. This is a shorter book, including more magic in it and we learn a bit more about Lou and her magical background. We also see more into the Isobel Key story just like in the first book we go back in time here and there. This time we learn more about the Dr. and Alexander, how they met and more about their personality. The characters are well developed along with a great story line of love, witchcraft and ghosts! 
 
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

Read the first in the series for $3 called The Burning of Isobel Key. See my review on The Burning of Isobel Key. 

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

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The Odd Life of Timothy Green Review

Now that the busy Holiday season is done I got a chance to sit done and watch The Odd Life of Timothy Green. This movie came out in December just in time for the holidays. If you are looking for a touching story of parenthood, that is magical this is a fabulous movie. 

The movie starts of with Cindy and Jim Green at an adoption services office filing an adoption application. Here they decide instead of filling out the form in full they would tell their unique parenting experience and why they would be good parents. 

After trying for a long time Cindy and Jim were told they would never be able to conceive their own child. That night they make a list of traits they would want a child to have and place these in a wooden box that they bury out in the garden.  That night after they go to sleep there is a big storm and a young boy appears in their home from the garden with leaves on his legs. 

Beware the further you read there will be spoilers in this review. 

This young boy has a mission while he is with the Green's he teaches everyone around him that sometimes the unexpected can bring life's greatest gifts. Cindy and Jim learn that Timothy is an honest boy making his parents speak up for themselves and overcoming past problems. 

With each way Timothy touches someones life a leaf falls off, when all the leaves are gone it is time for Timothy to go also. This was a fabulous story of love, courage and belief. I highly recommend a box of tissues while watching this movie. As it is sad but leaves you feeling great afterwords. 

Another awesome Disney movie. I have not watched it with my children yet as I know it would be very emotional for my daughter who is five. It will be a great movie to watch when we have time afterwords to discuss what happened with Timothy and why. 


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Walt Disney films. We received the above movie for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Wordless Wednesday - Snuggle Time

This month for Wordless Wednesday I have decided to feature some pictures of our fur babies. This picture is of Molly snuggled up with A while she was on the iPod. The photo was taken from Instagram, sorry for the fuzziness. It was also taken in a dark room.

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

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Excite Your Dinner with VH Sauces

Looking to make something different at dinner? Maybe something with a little kick? How about making dinner with VH sauces? 

I love to use grocery store helpers when making dinner. I find by using them they make quick, stress free and tasty dinners everyone loves. VH Sauces give some new excitement to dinner time with their different sauces, marinades and dips. Recently we were sent a fun little box of VH sauces, giftcard and some games/coloring supplies and some fun chopsticks! 

I decided to make a Butter Chicken on a bed of white rice. I didn't have broccoli - it was forgotten on the grocery list so instead I used red onions and red and orange peppers. This is likely one of the easiest, quickest and tastiest meals! The recipe is right on the jar of Butter Chicken cooking sauce. You can also head over to VH on Facebook for menu ideas, tips, and recipes. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken cut into 1 inch cubes
• Butter Chicken VH cooking sauce
• 2 small peppers - green, red, yellow, orange your choice
• 1 small onion - I like red
• 1 - 1/2 cups of cooked rice

Directions: 

• Chop peppers and onions to your preference in size, preheat frying pan with pam. 
• Fry veggies for 5 minutes, remove from pan. 
• Cook chicken cubes until no longer pink on medium/high heat, add cooked veggies and Butter chicken sauce reduce to medium/low heat and cook for 5 minutes or until fully heated.  
• Serve over rice and enjoy!

My daughter loves Soya sauce on rice no matter what is on it already

 

 Love VH Sauces? Enter to win a VH prize pack. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
~*Disclosure – I am participating in the VH Excite Your Dinner blog tour by enCompass Media on behalf of Con Agra Foods. I received compensation as a thank you for participating and for sharing my honest opinion.”*~

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Grishmas by Kelly Ann Blount

That’s when it happened. Her foot caught on an exposed tree root and made the smallest of sounds. The Grishma instantly snapped its ginormous head around and zeroed in on Brooklyn as she was approaching the fast moving dark murky water.
Before the wretched beast could open it’s deadly jaws and release a bloodcurdling scream, Brooklyn hurled herself into the water.

Brooklyn gasped as her body entered the river. The water was so frighteningly cold that her limbs struggled to keep her afloat.
She could see the Grishma racing down the shoreline out of the corner of her eye. Luckily, the gruesome beast appeared to avoid entering the fast flowing water.
I’ve got to get to the other side, she thought paddling hard to the shore only a few feet away. “I’m going to make it!” she screamed.
Then something happened. The water’s already frigid temperatures dropped further and every laborious kick of her legs got heavier, like she was swimming through slush. She reached out to the shrubs. Her fingers grazed the leaves. She needed to find the strength to close her hands around the branches. Her teeth chattered, her hands were blue, just a little closer!
Suddenly, something brushed up against her leg. Brooklyn began to thrash and flail in the water. She kicked her legs wildly trying to move away from whatever just touched her. Now the branch was behind her, and out her reach. The current sucked her further down the river. Her head bobbed below the surface. She gasped for air, but water took its place and she choked.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Release Day Diva. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Reading Challenges - What's in Store for 2013

When I was growing up I used to read all the time. I loved to get lost in a book, anything from the Babysitters club, RL Stine, to VC Andrews. After college I really didn't make much time for reading. I would still read here and there but I found it took me a long time to finish a book. After having kids, forget it. I didn't even try. Well okay, I tried a couple times but never finished them. Not because they were not good books but because I couldn't find the time to read. 

Late last summer I decided I was reading to start reading again. I also decided I would try e-reading. I still love paperbacks, the feel and smell of books. Going to the store and picking out a new book or two is always fun but again finding the time and quiet kids that could handle hanging out in a book store for an hour or more is really tough. E-reading makes it simpler to pick up the latest book, or what I love best find a new Indie Author! 

In August of 2012 I started reviewing with a couple book blog tour companies and I fell in love with reading Indie Author books. So many great authors out there and with Goodreads, bloggers etc we can find them more and more. From August to the end of 2012 I believe I read 21 or 22 books. That is a huge change from none a year or one in a year. I took part in the Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge which was a counter on my Goodreads page that would keep track of every book I finished and put it towards the goal I entered into the site. 

This year I am stepping it up a notch and put a goal of 50 books because I am actually starting this challenge on time this year. You can follow my progress on the right side bar of my blog or follow me on Goodreads. 

I have also decided to do two other challenges that can all over lap throughout the year.

The first one is Indie Fever, this is a read & review as many Indie Authors as you set your goal at. I am aiming for the Expert level - Choose to read & review 17-28 Indie Books.

The next challenge is a First Reads challenge. We are asked to read as many books by authors we haven't read before. In this challenge I have chosen the Fanatic level - read 25 or more new authors. 

This will be an exciting year for reading and I look forward to achieving my goals and adding new authors to my favorite list. I also want to say a big Thank You to Best Buy Canada for the awesome Christmas #dreamgift of a Kobo Glo to read most of my books this year.  



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

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2013 New Year's Resolutions - Do you make them?

Each January tons of people start talking about what their New Year's resolutions will be for the year and of course each year I try to make resolutions. Do we stick to them? I am sure we have all done this before - make a resolution only to break it within the first couple months. 

Last year I decided not to call mine resolutions but instead address them as goals. I found this was a lot easier on me as I didn't feel regret if I didn't make the goal. This year I am thinking the same way and have a list of things I would like to reach throughout 2013. 

This year I also thought I would look up a few things about New Years Resolutions before telling you my goals. 

From Wikipedia - "A New Year's resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year's resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year's resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous." 

Also did you know? -  "A 2007 study by Richard Wiseman from the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people showed that 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study's participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying "lose weight"), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends."

Now on to my 2013 goals!

Blog related:

• I would like to attend two blogging conferences, BlogHer '13 and Blissdom Canada '13. 
• I would love to take a creative writing course either online or in class.  
• Further my photography skills and work on my goal of upgrading my camera to a Canon Rebel. 
• Further my culinary skills and write more food posts. 
• Read more - reading goals to follow in a separate post in the very near future.

Home/Family/Health:

• Become more organized and purge everything and anything we do not use or need. 
• Move to a bigger home with a bigger yard for our kids and pup (maybe we will add a rescue dog in there also).
• Spend more family time together.
• Walk more often - I would like to walk 15km straight by the fall. Molly loves walking and so do I. We just need to find the time to get out on longer walks. 
• More date nights with the hubby.
• Bake more with A.       

That is the list so far. I may add or remove as the time goes by/completed. I would love to hear about  your goals for 2013. Please share your goals/links below in the comment section!

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

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Happy New Year! Welcome 2013

Happy New Year from Our Family to Yours! All the Best in 2013!

Here is a picture from my daughter, A. 

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

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Betty Crocker Snickerdoodle Cookies #LMDConnector

This New Years Eve we decided we would add some home baked goodies to our evening treats. We were looking for quick and easy recipes as we have already baked up a storm throughout the month and I am also on a mission to use up our food in the pantry and freezer.

I found a few cake mixes that need to be used so we decided to make mini cupcakes in A's new cupcake maker (post to follow) and also Snickerdoodles! 

Can you imagine I have never made snickerdoodle cookies before? I have baked many types of cookies, cakes, pies and bars but not snickerdoodles. I have put them on the to be made list many times and then never made them. 

This weekend I decided it was time to try them out and we found a super simple 5 ingredient recipe on Life Made Delicious website that uses a Betty Crocker white cake mix. Being a recipe with only 5 simple ingredients the kids were able to put them together by themselves with little help from myself. They love to bake and as A says bake all by herself.

Preheat oven to 350, mix cake mix with 1/2 melted margarine or butter and one egg. In a separate bowl mix 2 Tbsp white sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon. Roll into 1-inch balls (this will make about 42 cookies) or you can make bigger ones like we did. We ended up with 22. Roll the ball in the cinnamon sugar mix and place on cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire rack and consume! 

The cookies turned out nice and fluffy and very tasty! I look forward to making other cookies with cake mixes as they are just so quick and simple. Great for last minute desserts or treats for the kids to take to school.

To find more great recipes check out the Life Made Delicious website and their Facebook page that offers quick and easy meal and treat ideas.

Happy New Year!
 
~*Disclaimer: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.*~

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Made for Two by Karen Lenfestey - Book Review

Made for Two (A Romance Novella) 

Diane acted on instinct when she broke up a fight at the inner-city school where she teaches. When the superintendent suspends her, Diane returns to her hometown of Foxworth. Almost immediately she finds herself tracking down her old boyfriend, Tim. Just seeing him rekindles her love and she realizes that her life, just like her tandem bike, was made for two.

Unfortunately, Tim keeps pushing her away, claiming it will never work out. After all, she still wants to live in the city and he can’t imagine leaving his family’s bakery. But Diane discovers there’s more to it than that. Tim has been hiding in this small town because he has a secret.

Purchase Amazon/ GoodReads

My Thoughts: 4.5 out of 5 Stars!

This is a short Novella about 52 pages. It is a fast, fun and light read great for a chilly night by the fire. It is the first book I have read of Karen Lenfestey and I am sure it wont be the last. Right away I enjoyed the main character and really felt for her when she was put on an investigation for what she thought was helping a student as she tried to break up a fight at the school she works at. In the end this allegation was likely the best thing to happen to her and also her mother.

Diane goes to spend sometime with her mom in her hometown where she helps her mom reconnect with an old flame. Diane also reconnects with her old love and rebuilds her friendship with his sister. I loved this story line as I can totally connect with it. It is very believable that we can reconnect with a past love as I have with my husband. Karen writes a fabulous story that you feel part of, just enough detail to get to know all the characters and a bit of the past. The book finishes on a happy note but also to me leaves more to the imagination and maybe another novella? If you like clean romance and something that you can read in an afternoon or right before bed, I highly recommend this great story from Karen.


~*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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Stranded (Night Calls, #1) Book Review

Stranded: Night Calls #1 

Burned, Felix Sinclair has all but vowed never to get seriously involved with another woman as long as he lives. After a long day’s work, Felix is looking forward to getting back to his luxury apartment in the city. When he detours onto a road less traveled in order to shave off some travel time, the last thing he expects is to wind up stranded in a roadside ditch in the middle of a downpour–or to fall into the arms of a beautiful woman.

Recently divorced, jobless, friendless and utterly alone, Poppy Montgomery is struggling to convince herself that single life is what she wants–needs. Then a handsome stranger staggers into her life and sparks fly. Riding out the storm together, their instant connection seems like the perfect opportunity to explore a night of passion, but will one night be enough to satisfy their craving for one another?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Stranded is the first in an interconnected series of erotic romance. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but you will find that each new character has been previously introduced in some way. As an introduction to the series, Stranded is a novella, but rest assured each new addition will be a full length novel worth sinking your teeth into. 

Purchase on Amazon/Goodreads 

My Thoughts: 4.5/5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book. I love reading novella's or shorter books as I don't have a lot of time to sit down daily to read. This was a prefect sized book. The author has really thought out a fun story line for this series and I look forward to reading them all. 

This is definitely a book of heavy romantic fiction, how many people would invite a complete stranger into their house in the middle of nowhere at night? On top of that ask the guy to strip down naked and draw him a warm bath? I love how the characters have an instant connection and bond over the night they spend together. I also enjoyed how very seductive this book is. I instantly fell in love with both characters, Poppy and Felix and enjoyed how the author wrote from both of their sides of the story. I look forward to seeing how the author builds the characters of Poppy and Felix.


~*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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