Category: giveaway

Disruption Book Review

iRead Book Tours

In Disruption, there are two types of people: those who have been hacked and know it, and those who have been hacked and don’t know it.

Disruption Book Review

About Disruption

There are two types of people: those who have been hacked and know it, and those who have been hacked and don’t know it.

Former Naval Intelligence Officer turned secret operative Jake Pendleton finds himself in a pulse-pounding race to stop a cyber-terrorist from releasing a string of the most heinous cyber-crimes the world has ever seen. Crimes that could render the world’s advanced technology useless.

Jake teams with his partner, Francesca Catanzaro, to track down their only lead, a white-hat hacker in Italy known only as The Jew. A man who might hold the key to stop a group of black-hat hackers from causing worldwide chaos—tag named Disruption.

After a search of the hacker’s flat in Rome turns up empty, Jake and Francesca follow the clues—a trail of dead bodies that leads them across Europe. Along the way, Jake discovers a possible link between recent hacks and a Malaysian airliner that mysteriously disappeared.

In the final adrenaline-charged moments before Disruption, Jake and Francesca find themselves in a high-voltage race to stop these cyber terrorists from unleashing destruction against their sworn mortal enemy.

My Thoughts

Hacking is one of the scary topics that you hear about but don’t always understand. I know I don’t understand it as much as I should! We put so much out there on the internet and it is scary to know how accessible this information is.

This novel brings hacking to the forefront in an exciting and scary way. The plot line was fantastic – I could not put this novel down it was so exciting! Between the schemes, terror plots, hacking and murders, my mind was blown!

Our two key characters Jake and Francesca play a central role in a race to try to stop the cyber terrorists from causing global destruction against the Western world that would threaten to push them back hundreds of years. The plot unfolds in a unique manner and you are never quite sure what is going to happen next. It is only near the end that the story fully comes together and you can fully understand and appreciate the plot. The murders add in a whole new level of suspense and fear to this adventure packed novel.

Disruption is a well written, exciting and suspenseful novel. I love the way he writes and have already read this novel again. It is a definite must read that will leave you questioning things you do online and share. I will definitely be looking into his other novels because of his superior writing and plots.

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

Rating: 5/5

Disruption Book Review

About the Author

Chuck Barrett is the bestselling author of the Award-Winning Jake Pendleton series—Breach of Power, The Toymaker, and The Savannah Project, as well as his latest award-winning blockbuster, BLOWN, the first book in his new Gregg Kaplan series.

In addition to writing thrillers, Barrett speaks and conducts workshops at book festivals, book clubs, reading groups, writers conferences, and writers groups. Some of his topics include Nuts & Bolts of Self-Publishing based on his book—Publishing Unchained: An Off-Beat Guide To Independent Publishing—as well as, Blueprint for a Successful Book Launch, Getting from ‘Idea’ to ‘Finished Manuscript,’ Mysteries & Thrillers: Fact or Fiction, and Adding the “What if” in Storytelling.

Barrett is a graduate of Auburn University and a retired air traffic controller. He also holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Flight Instructor Certificate, and a Dive Master rating. He enjoys fly fishing, hiking, and most things outdoors. He and his wife, Debi currently reside in Colorado.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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Relentless Book Review

iRead Book Tours

In Relentless, with the help of an unconventional therapist with secrets of her own, the hunt is on and Gina fights for her life in this harrowing tale of cat and mouse.

Relentless Book Review

About Relentless

“The little girl lay under the hay stack scarcely breathing. Sweat poured down her face and dripped into her eyes; her heart pounded through her thin chest. Tiny flecks of hay clung to her wet skin, making her itch. She squeezed her nose tightly afraid she’d sneeze. Eyes clamped shut, she lay there. Flies buzzed around her, crawling on her. She didn’t move. She didn’t know how long she’d been there in the loft. She didn’t care how long she stayed. She couldn’t move. Not yet.”

Nearly a lifetime after a childhood filled with misery and abuse, Gina, now a successful doctor, finds herself thrown back into a terrifying world where her nightmares become far more than just a dream. With the help of an unconventional therapist with secrets of her own, the hunt is on and Gina fights for her life in this harrowing tale of cat and mouse.

My Thoughts

A very powerful story of abuse, murder and how one young girl escapes only to find her history following her. Gina was abused as a young girl by a family member, while her family stood by and let it happen. Years later and several identity changes, Gina is a successful doctor who has everything going for her. Then the nightmares begin and Gina finds it hard to tell fact from fiction.

As the nightmares return, they do so slowly. Giving Gina a glimpse at a past that she tried so hard to forget and which she did. She struggles very badly with these memories and visits a therapist, who is much more than your average therapist. Murders begin to happen with greater frequency and they seem to match up with the memories that Gina has but just can’t quite access.

The plot was excellent with two stories unfolding – the murders and the investigation into these murders and the unravelling of Gina’s memories and her history. It was frightening and suspenseful watching these two stories unfold and the way they overlapped. I was terrified for Gina and wanted badly for the investigators to solve the murders, I was scared for her throughout the novel. The man who wants to see her murdered is an awful person that just gives you the chills. The end was incredible and the perfect ending to this intense novel.

I loved every moment of this intense novel, I read it all in one sitting. You just don’t want to put it down. It is powerful, frightening and suspenseful – full of mystery and revenge.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and Audible.

Rating: 5/5

Relentless Book Review

About the Author

Love of the mystery/thriller genre combines with psychotherapy training and experience to produce an emotionally supercharged dramatic novel. Nancy Alexander has devoted much of her professional life to helping survivors of childhood trauma; their distress has been ingrained and works to create characters who give voice to their plight. To analyze the evil minds that prey on others and the intricacies of law enforcers who pursue them seemed a natural interlacing of professional, literary and creative interests.

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.

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Make the Season Magical with Scents From Lampe Berger {Giveaway}

Lampe Berger Ambassador

What is the first thing that you notice when you walk into a home? Is it that the home is warm and inviting? Maybe the tidiness of the home? I know for our family one of the first things we notice is the smell. Scents have a way of making a home feel warm, kind and embracing – especially during the holidays. There is no better feeling then walking into a decorated home with light scents of vanilla  or subtle almond – you almost instantly feel welcome into that home!

The problem is finding that long lasting, inviting and yet not overwhelming scent. Some products are strong for only the first twenty to thirty minutes and then disappear, others you never really smell. Our personal solution? Lampe Berger lamp collection and their accompanying perfumes. Lampe Berger has an amazing collection of scents and lamps. Their products work to not only leave a pleasant scent in your home but they also purify the air (they have been around for over 100 years so you know they work). This is needed that much more during the fall and winter months when the weather is cold outside and we are leaving our windows closed. The air can become stale and dry quickly, and if you have pets you can definitely smell them that much stronger during the winter months. We have one lamp in the living room and another in our kitchen, we also have one in the hallway where our dog likes to sleep. It helps with any and all of the smells that can be so strong especially in those areas.

Creating Hoiday Scents with Lampe BergerThe Lampe Berger collection has been expanded this season and now includes five new lamps: Curve Lamp, Diamant Lamp, Pampille Lamp, Satin Pack and Comete Pack. Each lamp is designed with a certain feeling and emotion in mind and suit a wide variety of personalities. The Curve Lamp embodies softness and a cocoon like feel and would fit perfectly in a relaxed, country style designed home. The Diamant Lamp is stylish and trendy for those who like to keep up with the latest styles. The Pampille Lamp is full of refinement and would fit an elegantly designed home. The Satin Pack is perfect for those who love the traditional holiday theme, with bright reds and whites. The Comete Pack is a refined and elegant holiday design for those who like to take a new spin on the holiday season. You really can’t go wrong with any of the lamps but it can be so much fun to match the style and shape of the lamp to their new owner.

Welcome the Holiday Season with Scents from Lampe Berger

The new lamps also come with three fresh new scents : wild berries, radiant bergamot and subtle almond. Radiant bergamot and subtle almond are by far my personal favourites. Our lamp fits in perfectly with our holiday decor and the smells of bergamot, almond and wild berries has filled our home this fall.

Creating Holiday Scents with Lampe Berger

The Giveaway!

Lampe Berger wants to give one of my Canadian residents the opportunity to win their own Starter Kit and Wild Berries Scent via the Rafflecopter form below so they can start their own Lampe Berger tradition. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don’t forget to follow Lampe Berger on Facebook and Instagram!

Disclosure: I am a Lampe Berger Paris Brand Ambassador and receive perks associated with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Tekno Newborn Technology Brings Pets to Life!

Tekno Newborn Brings Technology to Life!

My children love animals – the only downside? Mom is allergic to both dogs and cats (I know I am the kill joy in the family!). We have one hypoallergenic dog but my kids see their friend’s cats and just fall in love. I so wish we could bring home a kitten for them to play with but this is definitely not in the cards for us.

Tekno Newborn Brings Technology to Life

Tekno Newborn brings the fun of having a kitten and puppy into your home with their technology. Your child can play with their very own Tekno kitten or pup that comes in various colours (the pet itself is white with pink/blue/purple/teal/Dalmatian as the secondary colours and an exclusive all black puppy at Toys R Us). The pet fits into the palm of your hand and is light weight. The neatest part about the little pet is they are touch and voice sensitive. You can teach your little friend to beg, jump and even sing!

Tekno Newborn Brings Technology to Life!

Our youngest fell in love with his teal kitten. He was petting her head, talking to her and was so excited to see her jump into his hand. I was a bit worried that she (we felt our new little kitten was a female and named her Captain) would not be able to take too much roughness from him. He dropped her on one of his first tries in getting her to jump. We were all a bit nervous, as I am sure many of you parents can understand, as her ear fell off. To our great relief it fit back on perfectly. It is almost like the makers knew that this was a possibility and designed the toy to handle what a small child may put it through. She has taken several jumps and falls and still comes right back ready to jump again (much to our great relief!).

The Tekno Newborns can be purchase at Toys R Us, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Loblaws and London Drugs. The toy will cost you about $24.99 and is recommended for children three years of age and older.

The Giveaway!

My Canadian readers can now enter to win their own Tekno Newborn friend via the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a Tekno Newborn in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Celebrate the Holidays with a Book Giveaway from Raincoast Books

Raincoast Books

The holidays are a wonderful time for families to come together, spend quality time with each other and share the happiness of this season. But it’s not all about keeping busy or shopping that is for sure! It is important to pause during this hectic time and take time out to nurture our minds and relationships. I love spending our nights reading with our boys (especially a great Christmas tale) as it gives us time to unwind from the day and to just enjoy each other’s company.

Celebrate the Holiday Season with a Book Giveaway from Raincoast Books

Raincoast Books has a great assortment of holiday treasures for you and your family to enjoy this upcoming season. From Little Blue Truck’s Christmas to Pigloo to The Wish Tree to How to Catch an Elf, they have a wide variety of children’s books to delight, inspire and encourage. Here are my top two choices for you:

Celebrate the Holiday Season with a Book Giveaway from Raincoast Books

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep!

My youngest and I fell in love with Little Blue Truck’s Christmas. The book comes with a hard cover (perfect for little hands) and beautiful, bright and bold illustrations. The wording of the story is perfect to read aloud and easy for young children to read along with. I loved the almost rhyming nature of the story. Little Blue Truck is a special story about a little truck with a big job at Christmas time – delivering all of the Christmas trees to his animal friends! It is so easy to become lost in this warm tale while reading with your child. The last page is even more special as the page literally lights up with coloured lights! Talk about a magical book for children and adults alike.

The Wish Tree

The Wish Tree

Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways. The poetic text and heartwarming illustrations evoke the true essence of the holiday season and will inspire wishers everywhere. This gem of a book deserves center stage year round.

The Wish Tree is one of those beautiful stories that become a family favourite for years to come. It  is well written and full of gorgeous illustrations about a young boy with a kind heart. He wants nothing more than to find a wish tree, his siblings don’t believe in his dream and don’t support his search. He heads out with his trusty companion and meets many new friends on his special journey. The story was kind and warm, all of us just truly loved the turn of each page in Charles’ adventure to find his wish tree. You just keep hoping and praying that he finds his wish! The end was the perfect finish to this fantastic book.

Now my Canadian readers can enter to win their own holiday book giveaway from Raincoast Books! Enter via the Rafflecopter form below – GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

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