Category: review

December 3, 2016

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

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.

The 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.

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.

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.

November 25, 2016

Make Bedtime Easier with Charley the Chameleon

Make Bedtime Easier wtih Charley the Chameleon

Both of my boys are awful sleepers. They hate bedtime (you mean we have to stop playing??!) and definitely don’t like falling asleep alone. We have worked hard over the last couple of years to get them transitioning to sleep on their own but we still struggle, especially with our free-spirited youngest.

Our youngest loves the comfort of having someone beside him while he falls asleep. It gives him security and comfort knowing we are there beside him. We also know we have to encourage him to fall asleep on his own. We have tried pillows and a giant teddy bear (literally bigger than three feet tall) to trick him into sleeping on his own. It has not worked!

Charley the Chameleon is a sweet, plush chameleon that helps children transition to bedtime while feeling secure and safe. Unlike the pillows and teddy bear that we had tried, Charley lights up and plays music for your child to help soothe and secure them. This really helps to battle those feelings of being alone and being scared of the dark. Charley the Chameleon, who is blue, has scales that light up in amber, blue and green. He also plays a rain forest tune (we thought it sounded kind of like Hawaiian music) and tropical tunes. He is about the size of a regular stuffed animal that a child would take to bed, about a foot long and half a foot wide. He is soft and cuddly, with no hard parts on his body (nothing worse than getting hit in the head in the middle of the night with a battery pack!).

Our youngest was playing with Charley long before he laid down for bed and when it was time for bed he didn’t fight us as he hopped into bed. We asked him to try out Charley for a bit to see if it would help him and if he got too scared we would come lay down with him. Charley the Chameleon really helped calm his fears of the dark and of being alone. The first couple of nights we still came back in to help him fall asleep but each night he was able to stay alone just a bit longer with Charley. This in itself was an amazing bonus for us! We usually spend either the whole night in bed with him or back and forth through out the night (and both of us are left feeling like zombies come the morning).

Charley from Cloud b is more than just a sleeping aid but a fun, cool companion that your child wont be afraid of carrying around during the day. His fun music and soothing lights help to draw your child away from thinking about being alone or the darkness in the room and instead focus on Charley (hey you may even find them talking to him!).

You can find Charley the Chameleon at many retailers across Canada just in time for the holidays and he will cost you roughly $39.99, which is an excellent price to pay for some sleep. Make sure to follow Cloud b on Twitter and Facebook for more awesome products and news.

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

November 19, 2016

Utterly Amazing Dinosaur Book Review

Visit the amazing world of dinosaurs in the Utterly Amazing Dinosaur from DK Canada!

About Utterly Amazing Dinosaur

Packed with pop-ups, flaps, games, activities, and mind-blowing facts, Utterly Amazing Dinosaur explores the prehistoric world of dinosaurs, from the mighty T. rex to the armored Stegosaurus. See the different stages of how fossils are formed, and study the skeletons of different dinosaurs, and get up close to a Velociraptor with a special pop-up.

Learn about the dinosaurs that swam in the sea, stomped on land, or flew in the sky. Find out what different dinosaurs ate, from herbivore to carnivore to omnivore. The colorful illustrations clearly show the different types of dinosaurs, and the pronunciation guide teaches readers how to say those tricky dinosaur names.

From the biggest predators to the discovery of fossils, Utterly Amazing Dinosaur takes children back to an awe-inspiring era of history using innovate paper tricks to create fun and stunning effects.

Our Thoughts

Dinosaurs have a way of fascinating children and adults alike. They are majestic and beautiful in their own special way. They are powerful and fierce and yet gentle and kind. Movies have sparked the imagination of little ones and it is in books that they find the real good information that makes them want more. Utterly Amazing Dinosaur is an excellent book for children that not only provides information but fascinates and fosters a love of learning of these powerful creatures.

The book is large (roughly letter page sized) with a hard cover and the pages inside are also made up of a stiffer material (so much better for rougher little hands who get excited easily). The book is full of pop ups and flaps that your child can explore – my personal favourite pop up was the long necks (not just because they are my favourite dinosaur!). The hard material of the book helps to ensure the pop ups and flaps wont tear the first few times your little one plays with them because lets face it, kids get far to excite to open flaps and use a stronger force then necessary. The dinosaur facts were age appropriate but still gave enough information to keep us adults interested and it felt natural reading it aloud to our child and easy to make dramatic or silly to help engage our son in the book more. The illustrations are bright and bold that helps to draws you into the story.

Utterly Amazing Dinosaur will be a perfect addition under the Christmas tree this year. I am a firm believer of giving gifts that inspire and educate – Utterly Amazing Dinosaur does this and more. This book will definitely be a hit among the Dinosaur fans in your home. You can purchase a copy of this book here.

Rating: 5/5

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

November 16, 2016

Cremelino Prophecy Tour

“Forgotten lines of ancient magic and the power of the throne. One will make them both his own if his heart sees the true power. . . “ So begins the ancient Cremelino Prophecy.

The Path of Destiny, Book One of The Cremelino Propechy

In this new Young Adult/Teen fantasy series, Darius San Williams, son of one of King Edward’s councilors, cares little for his father’s politics and vows to leave the city of Anikari to protect and bring glory to the Realm. But when a new-found and ancient power emerges from within him, he and his friends Christine and Kelln are faced with decisions that could shatter or fulfill the prophecy and the lives of all those they know. Wizards and magic have long been looked down upon in the Realm, but Darius learns that no matter where he goes, prophecy and destiny are waiting to find him. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

The Path of Decisions, Book Two of the Cremelino Prophecy

In the second book of this young adult/teen fantasy series, Darius San Williams, now the first commander of the King’s Elite Army struggles with his emerging and ancient powers. After winning his first battle against external foes, he must decide now to follow the King or to take matters in his own hands. Back in Anikari Christine wrestles with how to confront oppression against her people, while in Belor, Kelln must escape the clutches of an evil wizard and warn Darius. Mezar, the captured Gildanian quietly watches everything closely and harbors a secret of his own. Each of their decisions will determine the fate and destiny of their friendship and their kingdom. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

The Path of Peace, Book Three of the Cremelino Prophecy

In the conclusion of this magical Young Adult/Teen fantasy trilogy Darius DarSan Williams, newly crowned King of the Realm, is being pushed and tested on all sides by others vying for power. His best friend Kelln is in Mar trying to find the escaped Preacher and his daughter, while Mezar discovers a plot in Gildan that could tear the Realm apart, and put Christine in danger. All are being watched over and guided by the mysterious Cremelino horses. They hold one final magical secret that could help Darius save those he loves and find the path of peace. You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

My Thoughts

A fantastic young adult series that even adults can enjoy! It is fantasy series full of magic, suspense and adventure. I was drawn right into the story and could not put the series down. The first book gives us the all the background information of the magic of Darius, the disagreements between the different groups of people in the Realm and the rising of the Preacher. The second book is where the story really comes to life, Darius comes into his own and it is so exciting! You can’t stop reading because the suspense and adventure is amazing. So much happens in this novel that you feel as though nothing more can possibly happen but sure enough book three is just as good.

I loved the connection of the magic, the horses and Darius and Christine. It was so exciting! Especially to watch the magic grow in Darius as he learned how to control his magic and what it needs to work. The three books are well written, played out and lead into each other very well. They are incredibly exciting and full of suspense. These are perfect books for young adults but even older adults who love fantasy.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

I was born in California and have lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. I really cannot remember a time when I wasn’t reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when I just couldn’t put that great book down). Though I have read all sorts of genres I have always been drawn to fantasy. It is my way of escaping to a simpler time filled with magic, wonders and heroics of young men and women. Other than reading, I has always enjoyed the outdoors. From the beaches in Southern California to the warm waters of North Carolina; from the waterfalls in the Northwest to the Rocky Mountains in Utah; I have appreciated the beauty that God provides for us. I also enjoy hiking, discovering nature, playing a little basketball or volleyball, and most recently disc golf. I have a beautiful wife who has always supported me and three beautiful children who have been the center of my life. I began writing stories in elementary school and moved on to larger novels in my early adult years. I have worked in corporate finance most of my career. That, along with spending time with my wonderful family and obligations at church have made it difficult to find the time to truly dedicate to writing. In the last few years as my children have become older I have returned to doing what I truly enjoy – writing!

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter

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

November 8, 2016

Trust My Heart Book Review

In Trust My Heart, Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.

About Trust My Heart

The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home.

My Thoughts

It is so incredibly hard to learn to trust and love again once our heart has been broken. We become cautious and not as willing to trust again. New relationships become difficult as we can read the wrong meaning into something innocent as we judge the new person by old standards. This is very true in this story, as Jami was hurt when her Father left her at a very impressionable young age and Grant’s ex-wife left more distrust then good feelings after their divorce.

The story is very real, raw and painful. Sometimes you want to give the two of them a shake and to learn to trust each other, but we also know just how hard that can be. Lucky for these two, they have quite the determined and scheming friend in their small town who is hard at work to ensure these two find happiness.

Trust My Heart is an excellent story of faith, trust, forgiveness and finding peace. The journey to this is difficult and full of hard lessons but we have to face each one in order to be the stronger person we are at the end. I loved every moment of this special book.

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special-events decorating company, Carol J. Post’s résumé reads as if she hasn’t yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love of writing. She started as a child composing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles for religious and children’s publications. Now she pens fun, fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for an RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Book award and selected as an RT Top Pick. When Carol isn’t writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping—almost anything outdoors. She also plays the piano and sings with her music-minister husband. Their two grown daughters and their grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all her nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

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