July 2019 - Page 2 of 3 - Working Mommy Journal

July 22, 2019

Ivy The Montgomery Sisters Book Three

Ivy Montgomery is tired of her sister’s constant nagging and protectiveness. She wants to make it on her own and will stop at nothing but will this be her downfall?

About Ivy

Ivy Montgomery is tired of her sister’s constant nagging and protectiveness. Blind, she decides to escape in the middle of the night when she is captured and brought far from home. With no understanding of the outside world, Ivy must use her keen abilities to navigate the wilderness around her. Anger and hopelessness are her only defenses against the things she cannot do.

Until she meets a strong-minded Lakota Chief, who will not let her cower to the blindness any longer. Lakota Sioux Chief of the Paha Sapa, Hotah is on a hunt for his brother, Kangi. Cast from their tribe five years before, Kangi has grown a dark spirit and a hatred for all white people. Now on reserved land, Hotah makes a deal with the General to capture his brother in return for his people to have the provisions they need. After rescuing Ivy, he promises to take her home, but danger is near and Hotah soon realizes it is not just his brother he should fear.

My Thoughts

In the third and final installment, we meet Ivy, the youngest Montgomery sister. She is almost completely blind and has learned to rely on her other senses to flourish. While she is a strong, young woman with a lot of capabilities, her two sisters do not treat her this way. In fact, they often treat her like a child – ordering her to stay at home. While this is done out of love and fear, my heart hurts for Ivy as she craves freedom and trust.

This is how we find Ivy in the beginning of the novel – trying to escape the constraints of her sisters but she ends up lost and alone in the wilderness. When all looks hopeless, Hotah (the Lakota Sioux Chief of the Paha Sapa) comes to her aid. He is on his own mission but there is something about Ivy that he is drawn to and he puts his own task aside to ensure she finds her way home.

Along their adventure home, we learn more about their history – the pain, the betrayals and the forgiveness. Your heart hurts for both of them, who have experienced pain we cannot imagine but who are still moving forward to a place of healing. They find strength, healing and love in each other and your heart smiles for them. But will this be enough? Will they make it to safety and find acceptance? This was a definite must read ending to this series of strong, independent female characters that you can’t help but love.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Kobo and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of many writing groups including the National Romance Writers of America (RWA), Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. When she’s not busy writing, or marketing Kat volunteers her time to other aspiring authors. She’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career, and continues to write for blogs and online magazines. A bestselling author, Kat’s books are available all over the world. The BRANDED TRILOGY is Kat’s award-winning series. With seven books published, Kat continues to write two novels a year.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 16, 2019

Poppy The Montgomery Sisters Book Two

What happens when love interferes and thrusts Poppy into discovering emotions she never knew existed?

About Poppy

Poppy Montgomery has always been good with a gun and could fight her way out of anything. Tough as nails and a sharp shooter, her beauty deceives the outlaws she’s after. Hot on the trail of the Clemmons gang, a group of outlaws who rob trains and killed an innocent woman and child a few months before, she is determined to make them pay for the sin’s they’ve committed by bringing them to justice. Pinkerton, Noah Shaw is investigating a ring of stage robberies and knows the Clemmons gang is behind them. Told to track down the infamous redheaded bounty hunter, Noah gets more than he bargained for when he arrests Poppy for assault. Handcuffed together the pair must work together to stop the robberies, and figure out who is behind them. But what happens when love interferes and thrusts Poppy into discovering emotions she never knew existed? Will she choose the solitude she’s always known, or Noah’s sweet embrace?

My Thoughts

I fell in love with this book, mostly because of Poppy. She is one tough, no nonsense young woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go get it. She also has this softer side of her that can be hurt easily and that she doesn’t let others see.

Her work catching a group of outlaws brings her into contact with Pinkerton Noah. He was sent to track down Poppy and find out what she knows about the robbery and murder but is not to let Poppy know. When he arrests Poppy in order to keep her safe, I don’t think he could even begin to imagine how his life would change!

Together the two form a strong bond as they work to stop the robberies and figure out the culprit behind a young woman and her child’s death. What they don’t expect? To be so attracted to each other! Both of them had refused to love again but these feelings begin to pop up. Do they ignore them? Do they act on them? How will this interfere with their case and their future?

This was a sweet, fast paced, romantic novel with one tough young woman as our lead role. I loved every moment of reading this book!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Kobo and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 4/5

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of many writing groups including the National Romance Writers of America (RWA), Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. When she’s not busy writing, or marketing Kat volunteers her time to other aspiring authors. She’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career, and continues to write for blogs and online magazines. A bestselling author, Kat’s books are available all over the world. The BRANDED TRILOGY is Kat’s award-winning series. With seven books published, Kat continues to write two novels a year.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 10, 2019

Be a Bubble Master with Zing Bubbles This Summer

Last summer, Zing introduced the Glove-A-Bubbles, an amazing, new way for children to play and make bubbles. They were quite the hit! Making bubbles can be so much fun but for little ones it can become frustrating quickly if they don’t have the coordination and motor skills to use the traditional wand. That is why we loved Glove-A-Bubbles, it made life so much easier.

This summer Zing came back even bigger and better with two new products: the Big-A-Bubbles and the Wave-A-Bubbles. Both items are guaranteed to have you making incredible, large beautiful bubbles along with precious summer memories to stow away.

The Wave-A-Bubbles come in a pack of two gloves with its own solution. Your child can choose from four characters: mermaid, dinosaur, bird and frog. They are sold at Walmart and Mastermind and cost roughly $5.99 CDN.

The gloves are incredibly easy to use – you tear off the bottom part and slip the glove over your child’s hand. You dip the top part of the glove with the holes, which are kind of like fingers, into the bubble solution (you will have to help your child to ensure that they get enough solution on the gloves) and then you can wave, run and move your arms around to create many beautiful bubbles all at once. We poured the solution into a bowl first to make it easier to dip the gloves into and found this made a huge difference. We could not believe how many bubbles the gloves made all at once! They filled our front yard.

We then tested out the Big-A-Bubbles which make long, wide bubbles. The Big-A-Bubbles come in six different character gloves: lion, crocodile, pirate, shark, duck and bear. These are also sold at Walmart and Mastermind and cost roughly $2.99 CDN.

These gloves look confusing at first with the large string that loops between both sides of the glove. At first, we weren’t sure where to put our fingers but the top of the glove has two small slits in them that you slide your fingers into (we did the thumb on one side and then two fingers on the other side) in order to make the glove “flap”. You will likely have to help younger children slide their fingers into the glove but once in they will have no trouble figuring out how to use the glove. Again, we poured the solution into a bowl to make it easier for him to dip the glove into. Because of the shape of the glove and the thick string, they create the most beautiful, long bubbles. They were landing on the grass and not popping right away, we had such a blast creating these bubbles.

The Zing bubble line, Big-A-Bubbles, Wave-A-Bubbles, Glove-A-Bubbles, is an affordable, fun and creative way to keep your kids busy and having fun. We not only played with them in our own front yard but also brought them to soccer where they were a huge hit with the younger siblings. This is a definite must have summer time item you need to keep in stock.

Make sure to follow Zing Toys on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the newest products.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 9, 2019

Pickles the Dog, Adopted?

Pickles the Dog, Adopted, is about a dog, Pickles, who has a lot to learn. Kat, the young girl in the book who adopts the dog with her family, is in charge of training Pickles.

About Pickles the Dog, Adopted?

Pickles the Dog, Adopted,by Kat Socks, is about a dog, Pickles, who has a lot to learn. Kat, the young girl in the book who adopts the dog with her family, is in charge of training Pickles.

During her first day on the family farm, Pickles gets into all kinds of trouble with the other animals. She isn’t a bad dog, she just doesn’t know any better. Kat’s mom suggests that Kat try something new with Pickles the next day, without specifying what action to take.

The next day, Kat begins to train Pickles to respond to a squeak toy. Instead of getting into trouble with the other animals, Pickles learns to follow the rules. Using this simple training technique, Kat teaches Pickles how to be safe on the farm.

While the story may be fictional, Pickles was inspired by a real-life rescue dog by the same name. Socks says, “I am so happy Pickles found a loving home. I believe every animal deserves a loving home, that is why a small portion of the sales from my books are donated to animal shelters.”

Our Thoughts

Animals are special gifts to the world. We love our dogs and I can’t imagine life without them. If we could, we would fill our home with them! Don’t tell my youngest that though – he most definitely would hold me to it.

This beautiful book follows the relationship of an adopted dog, Pickles, and her new sister Kat. Life is not always easy when you bring an animal home, there is so much for them to learn. They can be mischievous and naughty at times but never on purpose. They just have so much to learn and everything is so new to them. Humans need to learn patience and compassion during this awkward time for them.

I loved how this book explores the relationship between Pickles and Kat and how she uses a pretty unique way to train Pickles. Kat recognizes that Pickles has different learning needs and adapts while showing her lots of love and attention (something all animals need, especially when they arrive at a new home). Pickles is a special dog, as she is a rescue dog – which drives home the messaging that all animals whether they are from a shelter or breeder are special, loving and kind.

This beautiful story with wonderful illustrations will be a book that you and your child can treasure. The messaging on how all animals deserve a loving home is so important along with patience, love and kindness during those few first days at home. This will make a perfect gift and the best part is a portion of sales are donated to animal shelters, a win-win for all!

You can purchase a copy of this book here.

About the Author

Kat Socks is very passionate about animals and believes every animal deserves a loving home. She enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering as a pet therapy handler. Kat loves to give back to her community in many ways, but her favorite way is by donating a small portion of the sales from her book to animal shelters.

You can connect with Pickles the Dog on their website and Facebook.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 9, 2019

Fern The Montgomery Sisters Book One

Can one woman heal the heart of a lawman?

About Fern

Can one woman heal the heart of a lawman? A gardener who uses plants to heal, Fern Montgomery is an outcast who refuses to be pushed out of town. When her friend is murdered and all fingers point to Fern as the only suspect, she must find a way to prove her innocence while fighting off unwanted feelings for the sheriff. Sheriff Gabe Bennett has his mind set on arresting Sarah Fuller’s killer. But his key suspect isn’t what he expected. He soon realizes there is more to the quiet gardener than he’d first anticipated. As passion blooms, Gabe is forced to face his feelings—and the woman who has stolen his heart.

My Thoughts

Fern is one tough young woman living in an even tougher time out in the American West. This is a difficult time period for women, especially those that want to assert their independence and make a go at it on their own. Fern lives with her younger sisters and helps support them through her naturopathic healing combined with the knowledge that her father (a physician) taught her.

Because of her unique situation, Fern has gained quite a few enemies – including the local physician who will do anything to see Fern pushed out of the town, arrested or worse! When her best friend is murdered, he places the blame on Fern and she must solve the crime before she ends up being punished for something she didn’t do or even worse, pay with her life.

What she doesn’t expect? The local Sheriff to be on her side or at least willing to listen to her. He sees her for who she really is and loves every part of her. He is the first man that sees a woman for more than just raising a family. Not only does he work to solve this case but he also works at opening Fern’s heart to love.

This novel is a quick, sweet and exciting read from start to finish. I fell in love with the characters, the simple yet complicated story and the ending suits the novel perfectly. This will make for a fantastic summer time beach read!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon US, Amazon Canada, Kobo and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 4/5

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Kat Flannery’s love of history shows in her novels. She is an avid reader of historical, suspense, paranormal, and romance. A member of many writing groups including the National Romance Writers of America (RWA), Kat enjoys promoting other authors on her blog. When she’s not busy writing, or marketing Kat volunteers her time to other aspiring authors. She’s been published in numerous periodicals throughout her career, and continues to write for blogs and online magazines. A bestselling author, Kat’s books are available all over the world. The BRANDED TRILOGY is Kat’s award-winning series. With seven books published, Kat continues to write two novels a year.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.