Category: giveaway

Ghost Owl Book Review

iRead Book Tours

Ghost Owl is a compelling and inspirational tale and the third installment of the Avian Series which invites the reader to ponder the extraordinary treasures hidden in the ordinary events of daily life.

Ghost Owl Book Review

About Ghost Owl

Ghost Owl is a magical story of discovery, as a young woman seeks to understand her potential and confront her own shadow. Mariah Easter wakes up in the middle of the night to discover the world is as bright as noon—but for her eyes only. Urged by her godfather, she embarks on a mission to peer into the dark spaces normally hidden from view, leading her to confront the sinister nature of power, the vulnerability of the ill, and the hidden life of a homeless man: a journey that will bring healing to herself and the man she loves.

My Thoughts

This is the third book that I have read in the Avian series by Nancy Schoellkopf. While a third book, you do not need to read the other two to fully appreciate and understand this one but I would completely recommend it. You can find my reviews of Yellow-Billed Magpie and Red-Tailed Hawk.

In this book, Mariah starts to see the Ghost Owl in her dreams and around her in mysterious ways. The Ghost Owl is an animal that is connected with deep wisdom and people who have this as their spirit animal tend to see beyond what others see and when this animal guides you, you can see true reality beyond illusion. This is what happens to Mariah, she goes on a magical journey to a whole new level of understanding and see life on different levels and dimensions of the same person.

I really enjoyed this book the most out of the series but you do have to pay attention! The concept of the same person having different realities and dimensions can be a bit to take in so you do have to pay attention. Mariah is a very different young woman in this book! It is almost hard to believe to see how much she has grown from the first book. This is one my favourite parts about series – the growth and development of a character.

Ghost Owl is a well written novel that takes you on a magical adventure. It is a story of growth and understanding and completely unique in its plot. It keeps you guessing as to what and where Mariah is going and the why. It is a definite must read in this series, either alone or as part of the other two books.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Nancy Schoellkopf is the author of the Avian Series of novels including Yellow-Billed Magpie and Red-Tailed Hawk, as well as the short story collection Rover and Other Magical Tales. She has been telling stories and writing poems for many lifetimes. It goes without saying that she’s needed a second income, so this time around she happily taught amazing children in special education classes in two urban school districts in Sacramento, California. A full time writer now, she enjoys lavishing attention on her cats, her garden and her intriguing circle of family and friends.

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

The Giveaway!

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

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Beyond Love Book Review

iRead Book Tours

In Beyond Love, Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever. Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

Beyond Love Book Review

About Beyond Love

After trusting in her beloved friend Dan’s guidance from the beyond, Olivia is finally on the path to realizing her destiny. Staring at a blank canvas after ditching her raucous corporate life and meeting the love of her life, Finn McDaniels, a hot, widowed celebrity chef, she is ready to begin anew.

Arriving back in Chicago, she receives more frightening news further delaying her future journey with Finn. Unable to control the outcome, she begins questioning her trust and faith in Dan once again. She distracts herself the only way she knows how, by diving head first into a new project. What seemed like a time-killer may actually be the thing that saves her and catapults her into a world she never dreamed of.

When Olivia and Finn finally reunite, a looming secret is uncovered threatening to ruin the relationship she has waited for her entire life. Olivia is forced to decide whether to tell Finn or let it live in the past forever. Is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm or will it cause them to part ways for good?

My Thoughts

My favourite character is back in the second installment of this series. Olivia is the girl you just have to love. She follows her heart, trusts in her beliefs, she is funny and honest but she is also very real and suffered her own heartbreak. This was the death of her best friend – something that has haunted her for a long time. She feels that he has become her guardian angel, protecting and guiding her and so far this guidance has taken her to Finn. Which I think many of us can relate to when we have lost someone who means the world to us. We hold on to them, look for signs and rely on what they would have said to us in our time of needs.

The relationship between Olivia and Finn begins to grow in this novel. They discover they have quite a few connections from their former relationships and friendships (can’t divulge much more without giving away the story). One of these past connections threaten their relationship and the trust they are working to build. Olivia first tries to hide the secret but this back fires on her and does it ever! The new couple have to work hard to figure out if this relationships is worth working towards and if so, how do they get over this lack of trust and forgiveness. Something we can all relate to!

I loved the second part of this book series, their story and relationship really develops and we get to know our characters much better. It was witty and well planned out. I couldn’t put this novel down!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

D.D. marx came barreling into this world with the “gift of gab”. Her parents quickly identified a pattern forming when each teacher conference contained the words “she’s a little too social”. d.d.’s biggest life concern was identifying which boy she’d be chasing at recess rather than mastering math problems. She parlayed this gift into creating play dates on the playground. If friendship were a business, she would be a millionaire. She prides her life on maintaining friends from every walk of life in every corner of the country. This is the fuel that fills her tank.

Graduating with a Communication degree from the University of Dayton, she attempted to break into the world of Public Relations but was instead side-tracked with a J.O.B. At the strong encouragement of her friends and family, who dubbed her a “funny story teller”, she stretched her comfort zone by entering the Second City program in Chicago where her itch for entertainment was finally scratched. Determined to share her story and create a legacy, she decided to combine these talents and become a writer. She returned to her alma-mater to immerse herself in a 3-day writing course where this dream finally came to life. Asked to imagine if she was a super-hero, her task was to dig-deep to describe her special powers. Based on the real-life tragedy of one of her best friends, that answer came without hesitation. All she’s ever wanted was the power to visit with him one last time. This is the inspiration that catapulted her into her debut project titled, the Beyond Series. She dove into a world imagining that he never left.

The Giveaway!

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

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The Incredible $450 #BlizzardBucks Giveaway!

The $450 #BlizzardBucks Giveaway!

I love the holiday season – the lights, the smells and the overall excitement, especially in the children. We have already started pulling out slowly some decorations starting with snowflakes for the front windows. I have to admit that I did an awful job with my paper snowflakes – my cuts made the snowflake look like a monster with eyes and ears! It is also a great time for reflection with your children, to understand how blessed we have been and the importance of giving back to others. We do this with our Advent calendar.

What I tend to dislike is the bills and the amount of money that is spent during these months! The holiday season can really add up when you factor in not only gifts but also the Christmas party dinners, host gifts, family dinners and the list can go on and on.

The $450 #BlizzardBucks Giveaway!

I have teamed up with over twenty other bloggers to bring you an AMAZING $450 CASH #BlizzardBucks giveaway! Yup, you heard that one right, CASH. Who couldn’t use a boost in their pocket this time of the year? I know I would! You can wrap up purchasing gifts, maybe spoil yourself or even take a small trip away with your family. The possibilities are endless and completely up to you – entering is easy so get to it below.

The #BlizzardBucks Giveaway!

One lucky reader will win this amazing prize of $450 CAD cash paid via PayPal.

To be eligible to win just complete the Rafflecopter below with your qualifying answers. This giveaway is open Worldwide to residents ages 18 and older, but is void where prohibited by law (ex. Quebec, Canada). Entering is easy and there are many options to enter so get those entries in. Good luck!

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How would you spend an extra $450 this holiday season?

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, I received no compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Will’s Jams Live! in Toronto Giveaway

Children’s musician and JUNO nominee Will Stroet and his Backyard Band will be live in Toronto on November 12th.

Will's Jams Live! in Toronto Giveaway

Who is Will Stroet?

JUNO nominee Will Stroet, the star of the TV series here and Kidoodle.TV, inspires kids to be active, healthy, creative and engaged in the world through educational music in English and French. Will discovered his talent for writing kids music while completing his education degree at the University of B.C. After releasing his first album in 2005 and playing shows around Vancouver, Will knew he had found his calling. In 2009, he took a leave from teaching to pursue music full-time and has never looked back.

Over the years, Will has performed more than 1,500 shows at major festivals, schools and theatres across Canada and in China. He has garnered national recognition for his six albums in English and French including  a 2017 JUNO nomination for his latest album, “Wordplay,” six WCMA nominations, two from the CFMA and two from the Sirius XM Indies. In 2015, UBC’s Faculty of Education honoured Will in their top 100 Alumni awards.

In addition to being a devoted dad of two girls, Will is passionate about his work as an artist, educator and board member with here, which supports art and creativity in BC’s young people.

About Will’s Jams Live! Show

This interactive concert, which first toured in China during the summer, integrates video content with live music based on his popular TV series that airs on CBC Kids and feature sin-along favourites including Jam, Eat a Plum Yum Yum, Stampede and Chuggada Choo.

The Details

Date: November 12th, 2017

Time: Doors open at 10:15 AM. Come early to enjoy the JCC’s Jungle Gym for free
from 9 AM-12 PM when you buy tickets to the concert. You can also meet Will with CBC
Kids TV host Janaye from Studio K and get your photo taken from 10:15-10:45 AM and
following the concert from 11AM-12 PM

Location: Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC

Tickets: Tickets are $15 each or $55 for a four pack and can be purchased here.

You can now receive 10% off tickets by using code: WorkingMommy here.

The Giveaway!

My readers that are around the GTA area or who are willing to drive, can now enter to win a four pack of tickets to Will’s Jams Live! in Toronto on November 12th. Please remember travel and accommodation are not included when you enter this giveaway. Good luck!

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Disclosure: I am a Will Stroet Brand Ambassador and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

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My Little Pony: Holiday Hearts DVD Giveaway

Shout! Kids Factory

Get ready for the holidays with your favourite little pony characters in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts DVD!

My Little Pony: Holiday Hearts DVD Giveaway

About My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts

‘Tis the season to celebrate with family and your very best friends – the My Little Ponies!

But you know that no holiday in Equestria is complete without a little adventure. Join Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy as they embark on six exciting adventures sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Gather Around For Six Hearth-Warming Holiday Tales including:

  • Applebuck Season
  • Winter Wrap Up
  • Castle Sweet Castle
  • Hearthbreakers
  • A Hearth’s Warming Tail
  • Not Asking For Trouble

Bonus: Sing-Along

My Little Pony: Holiday Hearts DVD Giveaway

I love the My Little Pony series, I was a huge fan as a child and my love has only grown as I have become a parent and an Aunt (I know – my kids make fun of me because I love movies geared for children more than they do sometimes). These series are excellent for young children as they not only feature some of their favourite characters but they teach excellent life lessons that are crucial for this age group in a fun manner. Not to mention the awesome graphics and plot lines! This DVD does not disappoint at all.

This DVD, which is slightly over two hours long, has been released in North America on October 3rd from Shout! Kids Factory – just in time for you to purchase to add either under the Christmas tree or as an early Christmas surprise to help get your child in the Christmas spirit. You can purchase a copy of this DVD on Amazon or on Shout Factory.

The Giveaway!

Do you have a HUGE My Little Pony fan in your house? Or maybe a niece or nephew that this would be a perfect gift for? My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win one of two DVDs just in time for the holiday season. Please enter via the Rafflecopter form below – good luck!

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Disclosure: I received a DVD copy of this movie. All opinions expressed are my own.

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