Author: cvegnad

January 20, 2020

The Nutcracker Conspiracy Book Review

About The Nutcracker Conspiracy

Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.

Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist who’d disappeared months earlier.

“She was number twelve,” Dean says.

“Twelve?” Murphy asks.

“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”

Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy: “13”

My Thoughts

Wow – this is one INCREDIBLE novel that I could not put down. It had me on the edge of my seat and I can honestly say that I never saw the end coming. It was full of suspense, action but also humour (done in a way that only Lauren can accomplish).

The book starts off with the murder of the vice president’s wife which led to the Nutcracker Conspiracy – that someone wanted the President dead and somehow the CIA, FBI and law enforcement were all in on it. Following her murder, eleven additional people were murdered. Their murders or disappearances were never solved and were thought to be connected to the original murder. Dean, an aspiring author but not a nice person, gets his hands on a book around this conspiracy but is murdered before he can publish his book – which forces Murphy to begin to look into the murders much closer. What he uncovers, will blow your mind away.

What begins to unravel is an intense, well thought out plot – which definitely keeps you on your toes as you are introduced to new characters, new plot twists and history. The story takes off fast and keeps on moving, drawing you in deeper to the story and feeling a deeper connection to the characters. They solve the original crime but also keep good friends of theirs from being criminally punished for something they did not do.

I loved this book from start to finish and would say this is by far one of her best written works. It has a little bit of everything with some well planned humour to lighten the mood. It is well written, an excellent, never before read plot with lovable characters. The Nutcracker Conspiracy is a definite must read, that does not disappoint!

You can pre-order the book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

Book Trailer

About the Author

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

A popular speaker, Lauren is also the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

You can connect with her on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

January 13, 2020

Deconstructing Anxiety Spotlight

About Deconstructing Anxiety

In Deconstructing Anxiety, Pressman provides a new and comprehensive understanding of fear’s subtlest mechanisms. In this model, anxiety is understood as the wellspring at the source of all problems. Tapping into this source therefore holds the clues not only for how to escape fear, but how to release the very causes of suffering, paving the way to a profound sense of peace and satisfaction in life.

With strategically developed exercises, this book offers a unique, integrative approach to healing and growth, based on an understanding of how the psyche organizes itself around anxiety. It provides insights into the architecture of anxiety, introducing the dynamics of the “core fear” (one’s fundamental interpretation of danger in the world) and “chief defense” (the primary strategy for protecting oneself from threat). The anxious personality is then built upon this foundation, creating a “three dimensional, multi-sensory hologram” within which one can feel trapped and helpless.

Replete with processes that bring the theoretical background into technicolor, Deconstructing Anxiety provides a clear roadmap to resolving this human dilemma, paving the way to an ultimate and transcendent freedom. Therapists and laypeople alike will find this book essential in helping design a life of meaning, purpose and enduring fulfillment.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

TODD E. PRESSMAN, Ph.D., is a psychologist dedicated to helping people design lives of fulfillment. He is the founder and director of Logos Wellness Center and Pressman and Associates Life Counseling Center. An international speaker and seminar leader, he has presented at the Omega Institute, the New York Open Center, and numerous professional conferences, including the prestigious Council Grove Conference, sponsored by the Menninger Foundation. He has written dozens of articles, educational programs, and two highly acclaimed books, Radical Joy: Awakening Your Potential for True Fulfillment and The Bicycle Repair Shop: A True Story of Recovery from Multiple Personality Disorder. He earned his doctorate in psychology from the Saybrook Institute and an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, has studied under renowned leaders in the Consciousness movement and Gestalt therapy, and has traveled around the world to study the great Wisdom traditions, from Zen Buddhism to fire-walking ceremonies, providing a cross-cultural perspective of the extraordinary capacities of the mind and spirit. He makes his home in Philadelphia.

Connect with him on his website, Twitter and Facebook.

January 8, 2020

Mini Pop Kids: Bright Lights National Tour!

Get ready to dance, sing and have loads of fun with the whole family at the Mini Pop Kids National Bright Lights tour.

Many of you may already be familiar with the Mini Pop Kids from your own younger days, as they have been covering the top hits since the 1980s! The Mini Pop Kids returned in 2004 and have seen many great successes. They have quickly become Canada’s number one children’s pop group, with millions of albums sold and topping the charts.

It is very easy to see why – these kids have so much talent! They can sing, dance and are full of positive energy. They are a positive influence on kids, which is so important. You want your kids to enjoy music and dance, but in a fun, age appropriate manner. Not familiar with the MPK? You can learn more about each MPK kid on their website here.

We were super excited to attend their Bright Lights tour in Brantford over the past weekend and the atmosphere is almost too hard to put in to words. Before the show even started, kids were dancing and singing in anticipation outside of the auditorium. This did not even come close to the excitement once the group took the stage! Both adults and kids alike were dancing in their seats (one even took to the aisle – it was so sweet!), singing at the top of their lungs while a fantastic light show that helped bring the show to life. I love how they also included local dancers as part of their show, as well as bringing back a former MPK kid whose act was incredible.

I cannot even begin to express the talent of these young children – their voices held so much power and strength. I was blown away by their talent, not to mention ability to maintain such high energy and dance moves while singing! During the concert, they even had a competition for the Dads and a competition for the Moms – hats off to the amazing Mom and Dad talent (and courage to stand up in front of the large audience). I loved how the MPK even took the time to shake hands during the concert with their fans (I even heard one say she was never washing her hand again!). It really adds that personal connection to them, which I strongly feel is why they have such a huge fan base.

We were able to attend the meet and great after the show and our youngest could not get over how young they were in person. They have such a strong presence on stage that you expect to meet someone older. They were such a lovely young group of individuals who truly made their young fans day that day.

Here is a sampling of their Who You Are original song, from their newly released album:

Looking to attend their live tour? Make sure you purchase tickets here now. Several shows are already sold out! Their Bright Lights Tour stops include:

January 18 – Sault Community Theatre, Sault Ste. Marie ON
February 2 – L’Olympia, Montreal QC
February 8 – Grand Theatre, Kingston ON
February 15 – Fraser Auditorium, Sudbury ON
February 17 – E.S.C. Theriault Auditorium, Timmins ON
February 22 – Living Arts Centre, Mississauga ON
February 29 – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium, Halifax NS
March 1 – Casino New Brunswick, Moncton NB
March 3 – Fredericton Playhouse, Fredericton NB
March 7 – Georgian Theatre, Barrie ON
March 8 – Capitol Centre, North Bay ON
March 14 – Kamloops, BC
March 15 – Kelowna Community Theatre, Kelowna BC
March 17 – The Port Theatre, Nanaimo BC
March 19 – The Royal Theatre, Victoria BC
March 21 – Abbottsford Entertainment Centre, Abbotsford BC
March 22 – Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver BC
March 23 – Northern Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton AB
March 27 – Keyano Theatre, Ft. McMurray AB
March 28 – Southern Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary AB
April 11 – CentrePointe Theatre, Ottawa ON
April 16 – E.A. Rawlinson Centre, Prince Albert SK
April 18 – Vic Juba Theatre, Lloydminster AB
April 19 – Conexus Arts Centre, Regina SK
May 9 – Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Toronto ON
May 16 – Mile One Arena, St. John’s NL
May 17 – Gander Arts & Cultural Centre, Gander NL
May 24 – Centennial Concert Hall, MB
July 4 – Scotiabank Centre (Fallsview Theatre), Niagara Falls ON

Make sure to follow the Mini Pop Kids on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep up to date with the latest tour info, happenings and more.

Were you a Mini Pop Kids fan as a kid?

January 7, 2020

The Permanent Weight Loss Plan Spotlight

The Permanent Weight Loss Plan encourages readers, with gentle humor and compassion, to embrace a paradigm shift and transform their lives for good.

About The Permanent Weight Loss Plan

Diets come and go, and the scale needle swings as you drop pounds and then gain them back. But what if there were a weight loss solution for forever? Not another fad diet based on deprivation and restriction, but a holistic system for shedding pounds and maintaining your weight?

In The Permanent Weight Loss Plan, Janice Asher, MD, and Fulbright Open Research Fellow, Jae Rivera, reveal (from their own first-hand experiences) that it’s not just about the food you eat or don’t eat—it’s about a mindset and lifestyle change. After collectively losing 170 pounds and maintaining their weight for years, Janice and Jae share scientific evidence, personal experiences, and practical insights on how you can successfully reframe your relationship with food.

It’s about stopping the shame associated with body size, recognizing instances of disordered eating, equipping yourself with the knowledge of what behaviors contribute to lasting weight loss, and making use of proven strategies. Get actionable tips on how to:

Overcome barriers like stress, shame, and emotional eating
Escape the comfort food circle of hell
Eat food that nourishes your intestinal microbiome and brain
Replace unhealthy habits with new ones that will treat your body well
Boost your metabolism by eating during the right times of the day
Commit to an exercise regime you can enjoy
Transform your kitchen from danger zone to a safe space
Survive potential landmines like holidays and parties
Develop strategies for not gaining back the weight you lose
Stop the cycle of fat-shaming and treat yourself with kindness

Complete with 26 recipes for cauliflower quinoa puttanesca, “umami bomb” roasted portabella mushrooms, blueberry breakfast smoothie, curried lentil salad, and more, The Permanent Weight Loss Plan encourages readers, with gentle humor and compassion, to embrace a paradigm shift and transform their lives for good.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

About the Author

Janice Asher is a gynecologist at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to being a clinician there, she began the MILE (mindful, intuitive living & eating) Program, and the PANDA (Physicians And Nurses Domestic Abuse) Program. She is a co-author and co-editor of a textbook on sexual assault.

Jae Rivera is a biological anthropologist specializing in human osteology. She received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania, and continued on to work at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Presently, she is living in Peru analyzing human remains with a Fulbright Open Research Grant. and will begin her PhD when she returns in 2018.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a spotlight tour, I did not receive compensation for this post.

January 1, 2020

Cherish Family Moments with Medieval Times #MTCelebrate

The holidays are a hectic time of the year. This busy schedule starts in November and goes right up until the last present is opened. There are tears, frustration, success, happiness, lots of food and more. The only downfall? Not enough time to just spend together and focus on your family. There is always something else to bake, wrap and another party to attend and sometimes the true reason for the holidays is lost.

The kids were about a week into their school holiday, the Christmas get togethers were done and we strongly felt that we needed a day to focus on our family. We wanted no cooking, no cleaning and no technology to disturb us – just laughs, quality time and fun.

What better way to achieve all of this then to travel to the Middle Ages with Medieval Times?

Not only was it a break for Mom and Dad from cooking and cleaning, the entertainment and education value for the kids is superb (honestly as a Mom, this is a huge win for me if I can get my kids learning without even realizing it). A complete win-win for every family member!

We did a bit of research on jousting and a medieval feast, starting with the Medieval Times website and then doing our own searches online. Our youngest was really curious about how the jousting happened, if they would really injure each other and how a winner was chosen.

I strongly suggest arriving at the Medieval Times castle prior to the doors opening (roughly seventy five minutes before the start of the show). We were greeted by Lord Cedric and the Queen and welcomed into her Castle in true royal style at that seventy five minute mark and it was worth waiting for. I was a bit nervous on how they would assign seats, but they have a truly efficient system set up that moved the flow of traffic from the front doors into the great hall quickly while still enjoying the atmosphere, allowing you to take photos and take in the design of the castle and pictures with the Queen.

We really wanted our younger kids to fully immerse themselves in the experience and purchased the knighting ceremony add on for them. Both of the kids were made a Princess and a Knight of the Realm in a special ceremony in the Great Hall prior to the start of the show. The looks on their faces was just priceless. The Queen knighted them and presented them to all of the people in attendance for their great acts of courage battling a dragon.

We were then allowed to wander the hall until the show started. We found swords, a falcon, and so much more. Once we were allowed to sit, the excitement level went through the roof! Between the lights, sitting in the benches, cheering for our knights with the serving wenches and the realization that they get to only eat with their hands, the anticipation and excitement was incredible.

The show itself has something for everyone – an incredible falcon show (the falcon flew so close to us, our youngest was convinced it hit one of the crowns), the horse display and then the knights. It is hard to pinpoint one part that we loved the most – it was all executed so well with such great attention to detail. You truly feel as though you have stepped back in time.

The knights were fantastic to watch as they completed challenges and then jousting. Our yellow and red knight started off very strong but was ultimately defeated. They were animated, full of strength and bravery – they were truly a pleasure to watch as they performed.

Ready to plan your visit?

Head over to Medieval Times now to book your trip – right now you can save 40% on adult tickets and 20% on children tickets using the code USF4020. The code is valid until September 30, 2020 so you have a lot of time to take advantage of this fantastic deal. Make sure to check on the extra add ons for your trip (they are well worth it).

Feeling lucky? Enter to win tickets now here (good luck!).

What would you celebrate at Medieval Times?

Make sure to follow Medieval Times on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with promotions, giveaways and more.

Disclosure: I received tickets in order to facilitate this post, all opinions expressed are my own.