A December Bride by Denise Hunter ~ Book Review

Book Summary:

Happily ever after begins today. The honor of your presence is requested at a December wedding.

Every couple has a love story. Join us for a year of contemporary, seasonal wedding novellas, releasing in e-book every month. Each e-novella will include an excerpt from another wedding story in the Year of Weddings Collection as well as a list of the author’s full-length novels.

What started as a whim turned into an accidental - and very public - engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the facade in Chapel Springs this holiday season - for the sake of her career . . . and his heart?

Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy, the best friend of Layla O'Reilly's ex-fiance would be the last person she'd marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency, a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map. Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she'll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she's landed her client. For Layla, it's the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it's his last chance to win her heart.

A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Purchase on Amazon or Kobo

About the Author:

Denise Hunter is the award-winning author of 20 novels, including The Accidental Bride and Convenient Groom.

Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Connect: Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Website

Review:

This is the first book in a series of Bride books by different authors. Each month there will be a new book. They are novella's and can be read in an evening. A December Bride was a great little read and a fresh storyline. The author does a good job at introducing us to the main character and the storyline of this book without making it too long. I felt even though it is a novella I was able to connect with the main characters. It takes place over a few weeks and really is a sweet romance. I felt captured from the first page and felt the storyline flowed at a nice pace to keep the reader interested with enough detail to learn about the characters and their past but not distract from the story.

I look forward to checking out more books by this author and also more books in this series. A December Bride is a story of lies, hopes and love. 

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. 



~*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.*~

Read More

A Ottawa Senators Inspired Scarf ~ Knitting

My son and hubby are both obsessed with the Ottawa Senators hockey team. They will put on their jerseys and sit through the game on tv cheering for their team or booing when the other team gets a goal.

Since my son loves to wear Senator clothing - t-shirts, sweaters, socks and his beloved baseball hat. I decided that he needed a Ottawa Senators inspired knitted scarf to go with his winter hat.

This was a very simple knitted scarf that beginners can do easily. If you know how to cast on, knit stitch, and cast off you can do this scarf!

The total size of this scarf is 50 inches long. Gauge doesn't matter in this pattern. I used a Worsted weight yarn (4).

Cast on 20 stitches in your desired color. I started with black as this was going to be the "main" color. Using the Knit stitch knit for 2 1/2 inches then attach the next color (gold)
Knit 6 rows of knit stitch in gold then attach next color (Red)
Knit 12 rows of Knit stitch then attach next color (White)
Knit 12 rows of Knit stitch then attach your main color (Black)
Knit this for 35 inches

Then you will be doing your colors backwards with the same about of knit rows - white, red, gold and then black and knit the last color for 2 1/2 inches and bind off.

There you have it an easy Hockey inspired kids scarf!  Happy Knitting!


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

Read More

Mind of a Stranger by Ruth J Hartman ~ Book Review

Book Summary: 

How do you escape a stranger when the stranger is you?

Shelby Wright has the life she’s always wanted: a loving marriage to Charlie, her best friend, companion, and lover. She can’t imagine anything ever coming between them. They’re so close, nothing ever could.
 
But when Shelby’s mind begins to play tricks on her, little annoyances grow. She’s plagued with doubts when she can’t remember whether she’s done something. A voice in her head plants an unease that she can’t ignore. Then at her job, everyday occurrences that never bothered her before seem larger than life. Suddenly, life is more than she can handle. What’s happening to her?
 
When her thoughts take a dangerous turn, she’s scared out of her wits. And she can’t tell Charlie because the woman he promised to love, honor, and cherish has been overtaken by a monster Shelby can’t control.

Purchase on Amazon.

About the Author: 

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

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

Review: 

Before reading this book I knew that this was going to be a tough read. I have had the opportunity over the last (almost year I think now) to get to know the author Ruth online and she is such a wonderful, kind lady so it was hard knowing that Ruth wrote this book loosely on her life. She also has a memoir out that I am drying to read. Anyways this book is about a women who was living such a great life - great steady job, nice house, great husband (about a year married) and one day her life starts to change. Thoughts pop into her mind and she can't shake them, things bother her mostly germs bother her. This is especially hard as she is a lab tech who takes peoples blood for a living. 

I found this story flowed together nicely and I found myself feeling terrible for for Shelby and Charlie while Shelby worked through what was happening to herself. I could really relate to some of the feelings Shelby had experienced as I too have a bit of OCD but not to the point it interferes with my day to day life.  Working in healthcare I totally get germ freaked especially during the winter months or when I know where people put their hands and not wash after. 

It would be very hard living with OCD to the severity of what Shelby had to live with. This is a sweet romance that deals with emotional turmoil of a young lady learning she has a severe mental disorder while keeping her relationship with her husband. It is a shorter book and you can really get lost within it. 

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and have recommended it to family and friends while I was reading 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.*~

Read More

I have finally been hit with the....

Computer scam! 

There I was sleeping soundly, may I add finally after a restless night and the phone rings! REALLY who would be calling me before the alarm goes off? I rolled over and reached for the phone just in case it was an emergency. Hubby had already left for his morning commute.

So I look at my phone and see no number only the word "recon" hmm.. before 7am. Alright I'll answer and humor the person. Sure enough it was someone from across the world calling me by my last name and saying he wants to help with my computer. Wait one minute.... I don't have a computer! So I told him that and he says "laptop, I mean" okay here we go. I don't have one of those either. He hung up.

Now some people have told me they usually have them not believe they don't have a computer. Maybe he realized I wasn't a happy camper with this phone call.

People please beware. I know everyone knows the drill but if anyone calls you looking for private information or about your computer ask to call them back. Ask for a letter to come in the mail.

Don't give out your information! 

I have also heard a lot of people getting emails or Facebook messages from friends saying they need money now to help they get out of a country they went on vacation to and lost their wallet. Please call your friend before ever agreeing to send money.

Be safe out there!

As I was just about to hit publish I got another scam call but this one was about my credit card. YIKES I better stop answering the phone!


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

Read More

Phantom Lover by Kfir Luzzatto ~ Book Tour & Review

 
 

Phantom Lover

by Kfir Luzzatto

genre: Paranormal Detective Series

It was bad enough, I can assure you, finding a half-naked ectoplasm sitting at my desk, but she had to talk nonsense too.

Buy: Amazon / Smashwords

 

 

MICE

by Kfir Luzzatto

genre: Paranormal Detective Series “Where the hell are they coming from?” When Frankie asked a question, it always sounded like he was placing the blame on someone—me, in this case. Instead of answering, I squashed the white mouse that had just climbed out of his coffee cup. The mouse had the consistency of putty and felt like it; no bloodshed was involved in the squashing.

Buy: Amazon / Smashwords

 

 

Meet the Author:

Kfir was born and raised in Italy, and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired the love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier and WWII veteran, a voracious reader and a prolific writer. With a PhD in chemical engineering and a long family history that he needs to live up to, Kfir work as a patent attorney and heads the patent law firm that was established by his great-grandfather in Milan, Italy, in 1869. Kfir lives in Omer, Israel, with his full-time partner, Esther, their four children, Michal, Lilach, Tamar and Yonatan, and the dog Elvis. Writing has always been Kfir's passion and for almost four years he wrote a weekly "Patents" column in Globes (Israel’s financial newspaper), which also yielded his only (if he can help it) non-fiction book, THE WORLD OF PATENTS, (a not-so-boring tale of what patents are about, in Hebrew), which was published in 2002 by Globes Press. Kfir loves writing short stories but has too many novels waiting to be written (and possibly not enough years ahead of him to write them all), so now he mostly writes full-length fiction. His other passion is working with other authors on stories he loves and that's how he wound up serving on the editorial board of The Harrow Press as Anthology Editor.

You can read about Kfir's books (website). He loves them all, but never had greater fun than when working on “HAVE BOOK WILL TRAVEL”, a YA fantasy that he wrote together with his son, Yonatan.

Connect: Twitter: @KfirLuzzatto | Facebook | Blog | Amazon | Goodreads | Smashwords || Literary Addicts

Phantom Lover Tour:

Review:
 

I recently read three short stories by Kfir Luzzatto. I have never read a short story before but i really enjoyed them. Writing was very well done, the storyline moved quickly as i assumed it would, but it was well done.

Phantom Lover was a short 15 page mystery in which private investigator Dave Callaghan is hired by a wealthy married young woman to find out who it is her husband is seeing as it's her suspicions he's involved with a ghost. Little does the married woman know that ghost in which she's implied her husband is seeing is along for the investigation with Dave in hopes to clear her name.

Accidental Lazarus was a slightly longer mystery. This time private investigator Dave Callaghan is contacted by a very recently deceased mobster 'Stupid Joe'. Stupid Joe needs Dave to help him find out who it was responsible for his death, and assist him in seeking his revenge. While Dave investigates Stupid Joe gets comfortable settling into Dave's apartment, and keeping Dave's girlfriend company. Dave moves quicker to solve the mystery, and finally finds the killer. 

Mice was the longest of the three short stories. Dave Callaghan is hired by a mob boss Frankie Leone to find out who is sending the talking annoying mice who are infesting his office, and life. To help him understand who he's investigating Dave captures a mouse to interrogate, but after a few choice music selections and advice from The Cornflake Oracle he slowly finds out who this mouse is, and why she is so special. After a betrayal from hi,s what he thought with his closest friend, his closest allly becomes a ghost named Jake who seems to resemble a very entertaining popeye the sailor. With Jake's help he saves the mouse, seeks revenge on his friend, and as hired to do... solves the mice mystery. 

~*Posted by Cheryl

 ~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Cheryl. I received the above books for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Read More

Get Your Nails Ready for Valentine's Day!

Jamberry just released the New Valentine's Day nail wraps on January 1st! Get your nails all ready for the special day by ordering now so they arrive in time. While you are on the site check out the new St. Patrick's Day and Easter wraps too as they are too cute for words!

Remember it is always Buy 3 Get 1 Free on the wraps.

Head over to my website to place your order. Every order placed in January will get a ticket into a raffle for a FREE sheet of wraps! 

If you need any help please send me an email.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I am an Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Read More

The Heart-Shaped Emblor Book Review

Hidden powers. Otherworldly boyfriends. FORBIDDEN SECRETS. For Aislinn Moore, attending college at seventeen isn’t a big deal. Not when compared to the difficulties associated with seeing ethereal beings and having prophetic dreams. As Aislinn learns to surmount the obstacles of her talents, she awakens something inside herself—an ancient memory, long forgotten. She senses there are reasons for her gifts, but remains unable to understand them. When Alexander Welch enters her life, she learns of the Ewlishash—the hope bringers—and thinks she may have found her answer. Alexander is sexy, sweet, and his talents are like something straight out of a Sci-Fi flick. Aislinn wonders if she may be like him, but the more she tries to fit his mold, the more her instincts scream that her destiny holds something even greater. 

 About the author:

Alaina Ewing lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two boys. She holds a degree in Multimedia Production and is the Assistant Chair for Cascade Writers, a nonprofit Milford-style workshop. She also makes jewelry, dream catchers, and enjoys working with herbs and essential oils.

Follow Alaina on Facebook, Twitter

You can buy The Heart-Shaped Emblor Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.


My Review:

I enjoyed reading The Heart-Shaped Emblor. I would give this book a 3.5, and my reason is soley I felt as though some times with the paranormal explanations I would just feel confused, and I caught myself wondering why sometimes certain things were included in the storyline.
Aislinn is a 17 (soon to be 18) year old girl, who has always experienced vivid prophetic dreams, and wonders 'did I really just talk to a ghost?' and has a lot to learn in what feels like just a few short weeks. 
She discovers new things about herself, as well as her past, and is finally given an answer to what all her dreams have been about. Aislinn's character grows and her abilities list grows more and more as she spends time with her very literal 'man of her dreams'. She is given a lot of new information and does her best to cope with all that she's being told, at times it can be hard for her to understand all that she can do as she's had no relationship to the paranormal world before getting to really know her "odd" friend Hope and fate (or Jarwin) finally introduces her dream man Alexander.
Hope an Alexander guide her on her abilities and together they all learns she's far more powerful than any of them knew.


Posted by Cheryl.


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

Read More

Haunted U by Jessica Gibson ~ Book Tour & Excerpt

Ezzie Lovegreen lives in a world where witches and ghosts are real. That doesn’t mean she’s not surprised when she’s suddenly being haunted by one at school. With the help of her best friend Stella, her boyfriend Beau, and her grandmother Winifred, Ezzie must find out what happened to the ghost and set her free. Secrets will be revealed that could change Ezzie’s life forever. Will Ezzie be strong enough to face the challenges set in her path?  

Kindle/ Paperback / B&N

Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Literary Addicts      

Watch the Book Trailer
 About Jessica Gibson   Jessica Gibson is a recovering bookaholic, she’s down from four books a week to a more reasonable one. It was that love of words and creativity that made her dream about writing her first book. That dream was hidden for years, always put on the back burner, filed away in the “someday” section, until her husband Matt gave her the kick in the pants she needed to actually get off her butt and write. Jessica and Matt live in Southern California and have a serious addiction to reality tv shows like Pawn Stars and American Restoration. They have one son and hope to add to the family in the near future.

Follow the Book Tour


Excerpt

Winifred kept them busy for most of Saturday, doing various spells and making potions. Ezzie barely had a chance to think about Charlie and how to help her until Sunday afternoon. She stopped by the library on her way home from her grandmother’s to look for sorority registers.

She had just found the books when she looked up to find Beau standing in front of her, his brown eyes warm and his smile inviting. Ezzie felt herself blush, a strange feeling for her since she had known him all her life.

“What are you doing in the library on a Sunday afternoon?” His southern drawl was as smooth as honey.

“I could ask you the same question.” She laughed and kicked a chair out for him to sit.

“I was getting some studying in, but that went out the window when I saw you sitting there.”

There was the blush again. This time it crept up from her neck. Ezzie smiled and dropped her eyes to her lap, feeling awkward around him.

“You never answered my question. What are you doing?”

“Some research for a project I’m working on with Stella.” She didn’t want to tell him about Charlie.

“Want to go get some coffee?” His eyes were hopeful.

Ezzie smiled brightly. There was nothing else she would rather do than get coffee with Beau.

“Sure, let’s go.” She gathered her books and put them in her bag and followed Beau out into the sun.

Beau grabbed her hand as they walked. They talked about their classes and his football practice. By the time they reached the coffee shop, Ezzie could feel herself relaxing. Beau had a way of disarming her, making her feel comfortable. She watched him while he waited in line for their drinks. Where he had once been gangly and skinny, he was now all muscles and chiseled features. He wore his dark hair short and messy, because one time Ezzie had mentioned she liked it. She was beginning to realize that maybe he felt the same way about her. That thought left a warm feeling pooling in her stomach.

“Ezra...” A voice whispered off to her left.

Ezzie looked over to see the flickering form of Charlie floating next to her.

“Charlie, were you in Delta Zeta?” Ezzie asked quickly, praying her hunch was right.

“Delta Zeta?” Charlie wore a confused expression. Her appearance flashed to a long skirt and a pink sweater with a small pin on the collar. Before Ezzie could see what the pin said, Charlie flashed back to what she had been wearing before.

“Ezzie, who’s your friend?” Beau asked as he set their drinks on the table.

Beau had magic in his family tree, but he never talked about it much. It was a bit surprising to Ezzie that he could see Charlie.

“This is Charlie. She is actually the project I was working on in the library,” Ezzie explained.

Charlie smiled sadly at them and flickered away to nothing.

“Was it something I said?” Beau asked with a smile.

“So you can see her then?”

“Looks that way.” Beau smirked and sat down across from her. “So tell me, what’s her story?”

Ezzie took a drink of her latte and filled him in on the situation.

“So, you think she was murdered?” He inclined his head toward her.

“I do. I mean, why else would she still be here?”

“What do you plan to do once you find out what sorority she belongs to?”

Ezzie shrugged. “I hadn’t gotten that far yet. Do you have any suggestions?”

Beau looked at Ezzie, his chocolaty gaze melting into her. “Whatever you do, please be careful. I don’t like the idea of you going after potential murderers on your own. That being said, you could call up the alumni society of whatever she belonged to and see if anyone knew her.”

Ezzie opened her mouth to speak, but her phone rang in her purse. The ring tone told her it was her mom.

“Hey, Mama. I’m going to be home soon. I’m having coffee with Beau. I ran into him at the library.” She paused as her mother responded. “Let me ask, hang on.”

She turned to Beau. “Do you want to come for dinner? Mama says we’re having a roast.”

Beau smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

“He says yes. We’ll be home soon then. Bye, Mama.” She hung up. “Well, we better go, best not to keep her waiting too long.”

Beau laughed. “I’ve known Addelyn Lovegreen long enough not to keep her waiting.”

 

Read More

Bake It, don't fake it! by Heather Bertinetti ~ Cookbook Review

Book Summary:

Looking to impress your friends and family with decadent desserts but afraid you lack the skills to pull it off? Are you reaching for that packaged cake mix and can of frosting instead of whipping something up from scratch? Fear no longer— we’ve got the fix for you. Heather Bertinetti, a talented pastry chef with years of experience in Manhattan’s top eateries, is sharing her insider tips for how to make restaurant-worthy desserts right in your very own kitchen.

Bake It, Don't Fake It! is filled with recipes perfect for the home cook, such as Bourbon- Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Daiquiri Truffles, Red Velvet Macarons, and PB&J Whoopie Pies. Once you learn the whys and why nots of baking, you’ll be able to get creative and give all of your favorite treats a special touch. As an added bonus, you’ll find Heather’s “Chef It Up!” tips throughout the book, where Heather reveals her tricks for giving homemade desserts the wow presentation factor. All of the equipment you’ll need is probably already in your kitchen and all of the ingredients are readily available in your local supermarket, so it’s time to get baking!

Purchase a copy on Simon & Schuster Canada

About the Author:

Heather Bertinetti is the talented young pastry chef working her way through some of Manhattan’s most acclaimed restaurants. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America with a degree in baking and pastry arts, Heather joined Gramercy Tavern and, just two years later, Per Se. She then went on to open and receive rave reviews at Alto, Convivio, Marea, and Osteria Morini. Heather has been lauded by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and was named in Zagat's 2011 "30 under 30: New York's Hottest Up-and-Comers."

Connect: Facebook | Twitter | 

My thoughts:

If you love to bake or even if you just love yummy treats that look like they would be hard to make this will be the book for you. Heather lays out each recipe with a little intro about the treat. Then is the ingredient list which includes items that are easy to find in your local grocery store.  Under the title is how much the recipe makes. I can't tell you how much I get frustrated when there isn't a yield to a recipe. I look at these to know if it would be a good recipe to take to events or if I should make two batches for the family etc.

The directions for these tasty treats are very simple. They are for the most part only a paragraph or two. It is always best when a recipe has small directions. This in turn usually makes the recipes less intimidating or at least it does for me. I love how the author adds variations and tips at the bottom of the recipe. Included at the back of this recipe book is a Ingredients & Substitution section. Sometimes you may not have something on hand or someone isn't a fan of an ingredient this is a great section to learn which items you can swap with which. It does make a huge difference when you start substituting. Another great section at the back of the book is the glossary to help explain things further in depth.

Almost every frosting, filling and cream is included in this recipe book! I am a sucker for a great buttercream and there are so many variations. What to impress your guest at your next get together? Grab a copy of Bake It, Don't Fake it! and impress everyone that comes with your gourmet pastry skills!

This has been a great addition to my baking cookbooks. The kids have loved helping bake up tasty treats. One of my favorite muffin recipes in this book is the Carrot Streusel Muffins. 

Bake It, Don't Fake It! is filled with recipes perfect for the home cook, such as Bourbon- Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Daiquiri Truffles, Red Velvet Macarons, and PB&J Whoopie Pies. Once you learn the whys and why nots of baking, you’ll be able to get creative and give all of your favorite treats a special touch. As an added bonus, you’ll find Heather’s “Chef It Up!” tips throughout the book, where Heather reveals her tricks for giving homemade desserts the wow presentation factor. All of the equipment you’ll need is probably already in your kitchen and all of the ingredients are readily available in your local supermarket, so it’s time to get baking! - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Bake-It-Dont-Fake-It!/Heather-Bertinetti/Rachael-Ray-Books/9781476735542#sthash.gE2bW4RS.dpuf

Looking to impress your friends and family with decadent desserts but afraid you lack the skills to pull it off? Are you reaching for that packaged cake mix and can of frosting instead of whipping something up from scratch? Fear no longer— we’ve got the fix for you. Heather Bertinetti, a talented pastry chef with years of experience in Manhattan’s top eateries, is sharing her insider tips for how to make restaurant-worthy desserts right in your very own kitchen.

Bake It, Don't Fake It! is filled with recipes perfect for the home cook, such as Bourbon- Chocolate Pecan Pie, Strawberry Daiquiri Truffles, Red Velvet Macarons, and PB&J Whoopie Pies. Once you learn the whys and why nots of baking, you’ll be able to get creative and give all of your favorite treats a special touch. As an added bonus, you’ll find Heather’s “Chef It Up!” tips throughout the book, where Heather reveals her tricks for giving homemade desserts the wow presentation factor. All of the equipment you’ll need is probably already in your kitchen and all of the ingredients are readily available in your local supermarket, so it’s time to get baking! - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.ca/Bake-It-Dont-Fake-It!/Heather-Bertinetti/Rachael-Ray-Books/9781476735542#sthash.gE2bW4RS.dpuf

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

Read More

The Can't Cook Book by Jessica Seinfeld ~ Cookbook Review

Book Summary:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Deceptively Delicious, an essential collection of more than 100 simple recipes that will transform even the most kitchenphobic “Can’t Cooks” into “Can Cooks.”

Are you smart enough to dodge a telemarketer yet clueless as to how to chop a clove of garlic? Are you clever enough to forward an e-mail but don’t know the difference between broiling and baking? Ingenious enough to operate a blow-dryer but not sure how to use your blender? If you are basically competent, then Jessica Seinfeld’s The Can’t Cook Book is for you.

If you find cooking scary or stressful or just boring, Jessica has a calm, confidencebuilding approach to cooking, even for those who’ve never followed a recipe or used an oven. Jessica shows you how to prepare deliciously simple food—from Caesar salad, rice pilaf, and roasted asparagus to lemon salmon, roast chicken, and flourless fudge cake. At the beginning of each dish, she explains up front what the challenge will be, and then shows you exactly how to overcome any hurdles in easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

Designed to put the nervous cook at ease, The Can’t Cook Book is perfect for anyone who wants to gain confidence in the kitchen—and, who knows, maybe even master a meal or two.

Purchase a copy at Simon & Schuster Canada

About the Author:

Jessica Seinfeld is the author of two New York Times bestselling cookbooks and the President and Founder of Baby Buggy, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clothing and equipment to New York’s families. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.

Connect: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Website

My Thoughts:

Do you know someone that isn't the best in the kitchen? Do you have trouble making dinner meals other than the basics? Here is a fabulous book that will help out everyone feel more comfortable in the kitchen. I have Jessica's first book as I thought it would help get some extra veggies into my kids food and it was a lot of help to avoid the power struggles at the dinner table. Jessica has done it again with a great How-To cookbook for anyone that wants to learn or improve their kitchen skills.

This book is a very thick cookbook on rings. It isn't like your everyday cookbook. This book is FULL of pictures! I am a very visual learning and the minute I opened this book I was in love with it. I shared it with hubby right away as I knew he would enjoy it also. My son one day was asking me how he would know how to cook when he lives on his own. I told him I would teach him before he moves on his own and also this book can be his. He is super excited. Remember though that my son is only 7!

The book starts with a great table of contents which is broken into small categories for the recipes. Then you will have an intro to what gear you need, stocking your kitchen and great HOW-TO on chopping, peeling, washing etc your foods. This section is absolutely awesome! I learned a few things I didn't know like how to peel and devein shrimp. Another great thing about this book is there are videos online that you can go check out for more help. Jessica is going to make sure everyone reading this book will be able to cook.

Each recipe has two pages and some even have a flip out page. The left side is usually a big picture of the finished dish. The right page is the recipe that is layout with time, actual work time, how many servings, ingredients and instructions along with more pictures of prepping the meal.

Recipes for every kind of meal - breakfast, fish, chicken, meat, pasta, pizza, vegetables, grains, beans, salads, desserts, quickies. So many great dishes to choose from. At the back of the book you will find three helpful additions - What's in Season?, Meat Temperatures and Storage Guidelines and Food Safety Pointers. These are very helpful and easy to read. Another great cookbook added to my collection that will be handed down when the time comes.  


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

Read More

The Reason Series Books #1 & #2 by Zoey Derrick ~ Book Reviews

Book #1 Summary:

Vivienne Callahan has known only hardship. As if growing up with an alcoholic, drug addicted mother wasn't traumatic enough, she's escaped from her physically and verbally abusive boyfriend only to struggle every day to make ends meet as a waitress in a Minneapolis diner.

Along comes Mikah Blake, a handsome stranger who quickly takes an unexpected and persistent interest in her. On the surface, "Mr. Suit" seems to be Vivienne's opposite: rich, well-fed, successful. As Vivienne will learn, Mikah is more than he seems, and for reasons unknown, he's determined to be her knight in shining armor. But after having finally found her own two feet after years of abuse, it's difficult for her to accept Mikah's help.

Will her body's unexpected response to Mikah's touch be reason enough to overcome her pride and traumatic past and learn to love and trust? Or will her past, refusing to be left behind, come back to claim her?

Book #2 Summary:

An Angel is he...

From the first moment he saw her, MIKAH BLAKE was seized by an inexplicable need to protect Vivienne Callahan, a fragile but fiery young woman who’s awakened a slumbering power within him. With his encouragement, Vivienne has begun to turn her life around, and things seem to be heading in the direction of a slow but certain happily-ever-after. But that happy ending is side tracked by a rising evil that is determined to destroy her.

When her dark past comes back to claim her, Mikah is caught in a whirlwind of events that lead him down a path he was born into but never understood. Until now.

Can Mikah save Vivienne? Will his love be enough? Will he be able to control his angelic powers and use them to protect his new found love?

Purchase Give Me Reason & Give Me Hope in a bundle on Amazon. 

About the Author:

It is from Glendale, Arizona that Zoey Derrick, a mortgage underwriter by day and romance and erotica novelist by night, writes stories as hot as the desert sun itself. It is this passion that drips off of her work, bringing excitement to anyone who enjoys a good and sensual love story.

Not only does she aim to take her readers on an erotic dance that lasts the night, it allows her to empty her mind of stories we all wish were true.

Her stories are hopeful yet true to life, skillfully avoiding melodrama and the unrealistic, bringing her gripping Erotica only closer to the heart of those that dare dipping into it.

The intimacy of her fantasies that she shares with her readers is thrilling and encouraging, climactic yet full of suspense. She is a loving mistress, up for anything, of which any reader is doomed to return to again and again.

Connect: Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter

My Thoughts:

First off aren't those covers just amazing? These are the first books I have read from Zoey Derrick and right from the beginning I was hooked on this series! In book one it starts off with Mikah and we follow him to a dinner where we meet Vivienne, a much to skinny diner waitress. Mikah has this weird tug towards the diner and to this waitress. He just has a need to help her for some reason. The book starts off with a great pace and holds this throughout. Zoey does a fabulous job of making both leading characters very likable and make you feel part of the story. This story even though it is a paranormal (angel) story feels very believable. I had a very hard time putting down this book and then was left with a giant cliff hanger! So be prepared to have book #2 ready to go when you are finished book #1 if you are like me you will need to continue to find out what is going to happen.

Book #1 is mostly in Vivienne's point of view while she gives us a little bit into her life along the way. She is a troubled girl who has been through more than anyone needs to endure at such a young age. She is doing it all on her own and trying to survive without anyone's help. 

Book #2 picks up right where book #1 left off and does a great job at picking up with the same pace and suspense. This book is in Mikah's point of view and we get to know him and his powers better. He learns more about why and who he is. Who is family was. We learn more about Mikah's mother. Mikah is such a kind, caring and handsome man who even though is a big businessman is all about helping Vivienne and he is falling in love with her.

These books are not very long just over 100 pages each but believe me once you start reading you wont want to put them down so it is a good thing that they are not super long so if you lay down to read at night you wont be up until the next morning reading one last page. I am reading book #3 and can tell you that book #2 cliff hanger isn't as bad as the first book but you will still want book #3 ready to go. Also book #1 doesn't have any romance (kissing) in it, it is more of intro into the characters and their lives. Book #2 is where the budding romance starts to take some form and more angel talk.

I give both of these books a 5 out of 5 stars. I am hooked! Keep an eye out for my review on book #3 next week.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above books in exchange for an honest review as part of the Reader Rater Program. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

Read More

Wordless Wednesday ~ Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

These are the Holographic Fireworks nail wraps and I am absolutely loving them ~ They are super sparkly and they only took 20 minutes to do them at home, would have been less but the dog was barking at me.


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

Read More