Courtney Saves Christmas Children's Book Tour

Courtney is a peppy young penguin who just loves exploring, and is overjoyed when she receives a compass from Santa on Christmas morning. She’s so grateful for the gift, in fact, that she just needs to give Santa a great big hug and say “Thank you!” in person. The only problem is she lives in the South Pole, and Santa is all the way on the other side of the globe!

With the aid of her new compass, Courtney sets off on a journey that takes her almost an entire year. By the time she reaches Santa’s workshop, the elves are in a flurry preparing for the upcoming holiday. Unfortunately, Rudolph is feeling very sick—too sick to guide the sleigh. If Courtney can’t find a way to help, Christmas will be ruined and all the children of the world will be devastated.

What’s a little penguin to do?

Purchase the book from Amazon. Don't forget to visit Emlyn's Website - Emlynchand.com
Follow on Facebook or Twitter @EmlynChand. Don't forget to add this on your GoodReads shelf.

My thoughts: This is a cute little book about a sweet mannered penguin named Courtney. She gets a compas for Christmas from Santa and wants to personally Thank him for the present. Her trip takes a long time but she finally arrives to see Santa to find out that he needs help or Christmas wont happen. Courtney makes a special wish and is then able to help Santa save Christmas. My daughter had a hard time sitting through the book as it is much longer than what she is used to (she is 5) but my son loved the book and he is 6. He did say it was a long book but he enjoyed it. I thought it was a nice Christmas story also and fun that a penguin helped save Christmas.  With younger children maybe read it over a few nights.

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~*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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Holiday Classics from DreamWorks

DreamWorks has done it again! In the fall we took at look at the Halloween dvd combo pack from DreamWorks with all our favorite characters including Shrek. For the Christmas season DreamWorks has put out another great compilation of five Christmas-themed shorts - Shrek the Halls, The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper, Merry Madagascar, Donkey's Christmas Shrektacular and Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury.

Merry Madagascar - When Santa and his reindeer crash onto the island of Madagascar, it’s up to Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman and those wacky Penguins to save Christmas. Get ready for a sleigh full of laughs in this hilarious holiday classic, Merry Madagascar.  And don’t miss The Penguins in A Christmas Caper!

Shrek the Halls - After Shrek promises Fiona and the kids a Christmas they’ll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday.  But just when he thinks he has everything, Donkey, Puss in Boots and the gang crash the party.
Shrek the Halls is the greatest holiday tale that’s never been told… until now.   Also includes Donkey’s Caroling Christmas-tacular!

Dragons Gift of the Night Fury - The Dragons are back in the exciting next chapter to the Academy Award-nominated film. The epic story of Hiccup and Toothless continues as they take flight in a thrilling, adventure to discover an island of never-before-seen dragons – Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury.  Explosive action and fire-breathing excitement collide in this exhilarating story.

Running Time: 85 Minutes
1 x Blu-ray 25
Price: $19.96
2 Discs

My kids both enjoyed this dvd and have watched it a few times. I don't think I even have to mention that my daughter loved the Shrek part the best as she has been a huge Shrek fan from the first time she saw Shrek. My son loves dragons and seemed to enjoy this one as his favorite but it was an all around favorite Christmas dvd. The kids have already asked if we can watch it again this weekend.

Grab some popcorn, a blanket and snuggle with DreamWorks Holiday Classics this Holiday season!


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

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Wordless Wednesday - Morning Coffee

A Special Thank You to @McD_Canada for the fabulous Twitter mug I received while at ShesConnected in October.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of McDonald's Canada. I received this Twitter mug at a Social Media conference in the fall. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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The Burning of Isobel Key - Book Review

Contemporary New Adult

Title: The Burning of Isobel Key

Author - Jen McConnel

Date to be Published: October 1, 2012

When Lou travels to Scotland, she’s a mess.  She’s twenty-six, unemployed, and unsure of herself.  It doesn’t help that she’s traveling with Tammy, her best friend, who is everything Lou is not. 

At first, the trip pushes Lou towards the brink of depression, but then she meets Brian, a handsome local tour guide.  When Brian tells the tourists about the countless witches burned in Scotland, Lou starts to listen. 

And when she discovers information about Isobel Key, one of the victims of the seventeenth century, Lou finds renewed purpose.

Lou has begun exploring the Neo Pagan faith, a dramatic shift from her wealthy Catholic upbringing.  Despite her fears of being too “hocus pocusy”, Lou turns to her new faith as she struggles to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Isobel Key.  But faith or not, Lou must face her demons if she has any hope of righting the wrongs of the past.  

Purchase on Amazon 

My thoughts: The author sets up this book so the reader is following the life of Isobel Key and also Lou while she is on vacation in Scotland by flipping back and forth in time by chapters. It was really easy to follow along with this and the author was able to have us get to know Isobel well but not include tons of extra stuff that we don't need to know about her. This is a great clean novel with a little bit of romance and a whole lot of witch research to find out more about Isobel and right a wrong that was done centuries ago. 

I fell in love with 3 of the main characters but really didn't enjoy Tammy who is Lou's best friend. She seems a little to into herself and what she thinks is always right/best. I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down when I had to. I don't want to give away the ending but I am a little upset on how it ended. Does that mean there may be another book to come? 

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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Reading Addiction Blog Tours. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Holiday Sales at Jewlr.com!

Still time to get some fabulous gifts from Jewlr.com. Shop the quick ship collection for all items guaranteed to be delivered before Christmas with FREE shipping. 
 

If you need help choosing the perfect gift, Jewlr has created a Gift Guide to help. 

Use coupon code HOLIDAY2012 for 10% Off everything at Jewlr. Check out my reviews on Jewr Infinity ring and also my family ring. 

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

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5 Tips to Avoid Holiday Over Spending

15 days and counting. I have heard my son tell me almost daily how many days left until Christmas since about 59 days until Christmas. With the holidays coming, a lot of planning around what to get friends and family which can be very overwhelming and hard on our budgets. Don't get caught this year with the of guilt, remorse or the ‘holiday shopping hangover’. I have a few tips that may help.

Before I share my 5 tips for avoiding the Holiday Shopping Hangover I wanted to share some survey stats that were recently taken by Mobilicity. 

• 58% of Canadians say they spend more than they should during the holidays
• 59% find themselves making impulse purchases. 
• Young Canadians (under 35), women and households with children are at the greatest risk of suffering from the ‘holiday shopping hangover.’
  1 in 5 Canadians identify themselves as ‘binge shoppers’ saying their holiday shopping is a whirlwind activity that packs a lot into a short period of time. 
• Out of these ‘binge shoppers’, 71% say they tend to spend more than they should.
• 70% are not planning on using a variety of apps/features on their mobile phone to help with their holiday shopping, even amidst the growing number of apps that do everything from scanning product barcodes to locating retailers with the best prices to organizing store loyalty cards. 
• 46% of young Canadians said they plan on using their mobile phones as their holiday shopping sidekick this season.  

Now my tips on getting through the holiday spending and coming out feeling good amount your gifts to family and friends and your wallet will still love you! 

1. Budget - This is the first and very most important step in avoiding the Holiday Shopping Hangover. I have learned this the hard way and now have another way that I shop for the Holidays. As we approach the gift giving season I figure out how much we can afford to spend without using credit. If you can, start saving at the beginning of the year and put the money into a jar or envelope marked for presents. I make a "budget" of how much we can spend based on our monthly budgets. Then I decide how much we will spend on each person on our list.

2. Plan - Make a list of who you will be shopping for this holiday season. Once you have your list jot down ideas of what each person likes. Keep this list with your budget and as you pick up presents check off your list.
 
3. Shop ahead - Shop over the year with sales. As great deals come up all year round it is a great way to save money but also get a great gift for your loved ones. Keep your eyes open for online coupon codes and sales.
 
4. Gift cards - I find another great idea for gifts are gift cards. We have a ton of people on our Holiday shopping list that are hard to buy for, mostly the adults in the family. They already have a lot of things and when asked usually don't want anything or can't decide what they would like. This is a great way to stay on a budget is to find out what store they like and go back to our list we made on how much we will spend. Head over to the store or online shop and pick up a gift card in that amount.  

5. Homemade -Why not make gifts for your friends and family? Enlist the kids help to make hand painted picture frames, birdhouses, ornaments, bake goods in a jar, the list of ideas are endless. These are usually inexpensive gift ideas that are sure to please grandma, poppa, aunts and uncles, your babysitter, teachers, etc.

Looking at getting yourself, or family members a new cell phone for the Holidays? Check out Mobilicity for great unlimited wireless plans that are 50% off the regular rate for the holidays. For just $22.50 a month, you can get unlimited data, talk and text plus North American long-distance, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voicemail, global text and 30 minutes of included North American voice roaming minutes a month. Unlimited monthly talk-and-text plans start at just $12.50 during the special sale.

 
Content courtesy of Mobilicity, Canada’s smart mobile carrier.  Find out how to avoid a holiday shopping hangover and reduce your monthly spending all year round with unlimited data, talk and text, without contracts and hidden fees at Mobilicity.ca.  Now that’s smart!

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Gift Ideas for Girls from Hasbro Toys

Shopping for a little girl this holiday season? Check out some fun toys from Hasbro that will be sure to warm the hearts of girls around the world.

If your little girl loves the FurReal Friends she will love the newest addition, Baby Butterscotch the Magical Show Pony. My daughter would love to have tons of animals in the house to look after but we just can't have anymore including a horse in town limits. We have fixed this with Butterscotch. With the FurReal Friends they are much like having the real thing for young kids. They can care for their pets by brushing, feeding and playing with them.

Baby Butterscotch is a soft, cuddly, miniature pony that responds to your touch, moves her head and ears, and makes pony sounds just like the real thing! When you pet her, your pony moves her head in your direction or nuzzles up to you to show how much she loves you. She makes sweet pony sounds and even moves her ears. When you feed her her carrot, she makes munching sounds.

Butterscotch comes with her own brush to keep her fur nice and tidy ready for her next show. Also don't forget to feed Butterscotch a pre-show treat of a carrot. Butterscotch can also be posed, she can stand, sit or lie down. Talk to her and see how she responds to your voice.

Disney Princess fans will love this new Play-Doh set Prettiest Princess Castle set, recommended for ages 3+. This set includes a Princess castle, base, 3 princess door molds, prince door mold, tower presser, 6 - 2oz cans of Play-Doh and 3 princesses - Aurora, Belle and Cinderella.

The kids can give their favorite Disney princesses a magical makeover by making cutouts of slippers, roses, tiaras and other accessories. Make dresses and add their acessories to play dress up with each of the princesses. One of the cans contains sparkle compound, so your little one can give Cinderella’s tiara or Belle’s gown a special sparkly beauty!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Hasbro Canada. I received the above mentioned products. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Angry Birds Star Wars Toys by Hasbro

Angry Birds fans will love the new toys from Hasbro! When the beginning of the Angry Birds craze started I wasn't sure what the deal was but I added the app to our family iPod and let my son try it out. Right away he was a pro and was hooked. He even got me hooked on it on my iPhone. When I would be stuck he would ask me if I was like him to help get me past it. He is a HUGE Angry Birds fan but there is also something else he loves - Star Wars.

Hasbro has combined both of his favorites and made Angry Birds Star Wars toys! This Christmas he will be excited to find this fabulous set under the tree!  

Angry Birds Star Wars - At-At Attack Battle Game (recommended ages 5+) $49.99

Launch and destroy in physical form with your favorite Star Wars characters re-imagined as high-flying Angry Birds and villainous pigs. This kit includes 21 blocks to create the massive, signature AT-AT, a Lightsaber launcher and 12 Angry Birds Star Wars figures - including two that are exclusive to this set! Players can also unlock Angry Birds Star Wars in-app content with a special code in each pack. Hours of fun for sure!

Check out the other great Angry Birds Star Wars packs you can surprise your Angry Bird fans with this Holiday season by heading over to Toys R Us.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Hasbro Canada. I received the above product in exchange for post. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Breathe Book Release Party!

Jasmine’s life wasn’t normal for a 16 year old girl.  It hadn’t been normal since the murder of her older sister, Daisy, two years ago. Her life had been changed forever. The monster that murdered Daisy was never caught.  That was the reason her family decided to move away from their hometown in Southern California, to start over.  Hopefully in a place where the last name Rourke wouldn’t bring on staring or judgment or morbid curiosity.

In Lafayette, Louisiana things are quite a bit different but in a good way.  Good manners, Cajun accents and a whole lot of Southern Hospitality all make her think things are going in the right direction.  On top of that the most gorgeous boy she has ever met is interested in her. Her new friends are better than she could have hoped for even if she is worried about what they might think when they find out who she is.  Life would be perfect if odd things didn’t keep happening.  Creepy phone calls, texts, and flowers in her locker start adding up quickly to something terrifying. Could the Monster have followed them to Lafayette? Was he coming after her this time?  Maybe she was just worrying unnecessarily…or not.
 
Join the event!! We're celebrating from 10-6 pst on Friday December 14th!! There will be tons of fun games and prizes the whole day, you won't want to miss it.
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 Hope to see you all there!!

Brought to you by the Release Day Diva

 

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Gift Ideas for the Little Scientist

Do you have a little scientist on your hands? This Christmas why not give your scientist something to play with! The Potato Chip Science Book & Stuff is a great way to teach kids Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Earth Science by using potato's and potato chips.

Blurb:
"Snack on science! Make a science of snacks! Potato Chip Science is the book and kit that s an irresistible introduction to science for 8- to 12-year-olds. 29 incredible experiments plus one edible project that use potato chips, potatoes, potato chip bags, tubes, and lids. 

Included in the bag are a 96-page two-color book and a dozen items that kids can use for the following snacktivities : 

• Bag Blaster - Bird Feeder -Chipmobile
• Chip Analyzer - Chip-ShipChalleng
• Chip-Tube Gobbler - Color Wheel
• Compass - Composter - ConfettiCan-non
• CSI Detective Kit - Dancing Chips
• Electric Wave - Flipper - Hydrofoil - Kissing Tubes 
• Kite - Mini Extermi-tater - Potato Bender - Potato Chip Crunchies 
• Potato Battery - Saucer Tosser - Shrunken (Potato) Head
• Signal Mirror - Sound Spinner - Spud Crud - Spuddy Buddy
• Walkie-Talkie - Windmill  

Potato Chip Science received the Gold Medal from The National Parenting Publication Awards, and a Gold "Brain Child" Medal from Tillywig." 

This is a great bag full of fun projects to keep your kids busy and learning. The pages are laied out with materials needed, method and the meaning. The book is full of pictures and great facts. It is sectioned off into groups - Bags, Chips, Lids, Spuds and Tubes. It would make a great gift or activities for over the Winter holidays from school. Visit Thomas Allen & Son ltd for where to buy.

Another great item for your scientist or curious children is the What's the BIG Idea? Amazing Science Questions for the Curious Kid by Vicki Cobb 

Blurb:
"Why don't we feel the Earth move? Why does an ice cube float? Why can't you unscramble an egg? Why can't we live forever? These are all questions that a curious kid might ask. In What's the BIG Idea?, renowned juvenile science educator Vicki Cobb answers these and other fascinating questions to help kids learn more about the world through the wonders of science.

Scientists learn by asking questions. And this book, now in paperback, is designed to make young readers stop and think about each of the questions before reading what scientists have learned that answers each question. They'll be able to do simple things to see for themselves, and they will build their own scientific knowledge in the process. By the time they've finished this book, they'll get the big picture of what science is all about."

This book is huge! It consists of thirty-five important science questions and answers in four different sections - Motion, Energy, Matter and life. Throughout the book there are tons of pictures in a cartoon form with the bubbles to make it a fun read for kids. Each question and answer is a chapter ready to teach your curious child all about Science. Visit Thomas Allen & Son ltd. to find where to buy.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn on behalf of Thomas Allen & Son ltd. I received the above books for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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BLEEDING HEARTS Book #1 Book Tour! + US Giveaway!

BLEEDING HEARTS: Book One of the Demimonde

Sophie Galen is an advice columnist who is saving the world—one damned person at a time. Shy and sensitive Sophie has all but given up on love until she meets Marek, a mysterious stranger who seduces her with his striking good looks and his take-charge attitude. Yet the darkness she senses within him may be more than she is prepared to handle when Marek draws her into a world of vampires, werewolves, and treachery. Forced to leave behind the comfortable routines and certainties of her past, Sophie makes unbearable sacrifices and uncovers hidden truths about herself and the world around her.





Purchase Print / Kindle / Nook / Publisher/ Twitter / Facebook / Blog / Goodreads


Ash Krafton is a speculative fiction writer who resides in the heart of the Pennsylvania coal region, where she keeps the dust jacket for "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" in a frame over her desk. Visit http://ash-krafton.blogspot.com for news on her series, The Books of the Demimonde.

BLEEDING HEARTS: Book One of the Demimonde (Pink Narcissus Press, 2012) is available in print and ebook formats. The sequel, BLOOD RUSH, is forthcoming in March 2013.

Prizes: Autographed print copy and t-shirt, ebooks, gift cards, swag total prize payout valued over $100 Fill out the form below to Enter to win. Open to US Residents
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Keeping Organized for 2013! + Giveaways

I admit, I am a list maker. I need to write things down to get things accomplished and remember what is going on. I love to write on calendars to keep the whole family, including nanny informed on what is happening in the up coming days, weeks and even months. This way we shouldn't forget what is coming up and I can't be told by anyone "well I didn't know".

We have usually 3 calendars (kids, hubby and mine) in the house minimum and I also have a printed editorial calendar in a duo tang to keep my blogging organized and efficient. My husband doesn't like when I write on his "Wildlife" calendars so mommy has to have her own. I usually get the nicest and biggest calendars for all my needs! I want to say Thank You to Thomas Allen & Son ltd for supplying me with the great Mom's Family desk planner last year and this year I am will be using my new giant Page-A-Week Kitchen Organizer 2013. 

This calendar is absolutely fabulous if you love to write down everything that is going on. I am excited as this calendar can be hung on the wall/fridge or placed on a desk. Ours will be on the fridge for everyone to see. I will be using it to write appointments, kids activities, birthdays and best of all? Our weekly menu plan!

Each page consists of one week and is big enough to write tons of things down. Also included are beautiful pictures and quotes. At the bottom of each page you will find a monthly calendar for that month, the previous and the next! Each sheet is then torn off at the end of the week. This calendar starts on the 30th this year and runs to January 4th of 2014. In the back there is also a place for notes and a small calendar of 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Included with this calendar is an online Page-A-Day calendar absolutely free, just follow the instructions to receive your online calendar. It is very easy and can be down in 4 simple steps.

I am excited to offer a few of the great calendars that Thomas Allen & Son ltd has to offer to my readers! I have the following to giveaway. Two winners will be chosen for each calendar through the rafflecopter forms below. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents and will end on December 14th, 11:59pm Est.
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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn of Thomas Allen & Son Ltd. I received the Kitchen Calendar for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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