September 3, 2014
Hideaway Cove by Anna Sullivan #review
Hideaway Cove, a Windfall Island Novel, features Jessi Randal a woman who has just walked away from her last relationship with a child and a broken heart. Years later the last thing this single mother wants is to give Windfall Island anything more to gossip about. Yet the moment she lays eyes on the tall, sexy stranger with the slow Southern drawl she knows that she is in trouble.
Holden Aboot is on the island to find the missing heir to the Stanhope family fortune. It is his job to charm as many secrets out of the town residents as possible. If he can charm Jessi even better. When all of the evidence points to Jessi as the heir a dangerous enemy sets his sights on Jessi and her son. Now Holden will have to risk everything to protect the family he has come to love.
Hideaway Cove is a suspenseful novel that had me stumped and guessing who the heir is and who is trying to hurt Jessi throughout the novel. The plot line was intense at times and although it is a romance novel the romance is only one factor in this lovely story. I loved how the relationship between Jessi and Holden develops over time as Jessi protects her child from being heart broken. The bonds that Holden forms with her and her child is incredible to read (he becomes a strong father figure in their life something he never pictured for himself!).
Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 28, 2014
DK Math Boutique: Build Up Those Math Skills for BTS #review
Math can either be the easiest subject for your child to master or it can cause frustration and tears. We have seen both in our house. Some units are easier while other units can take a lot to master – I still have nightmares of calculus and I am dreading the day when I have to help my son with this!
We were sent the DK Canada Math Made Easy. Each Math Made Easy book is divided up by grade and you choose the correct grade for your child.
For our son we chose the grade he was entering into in September. It started off with the easier math problems and slowly advanced as he made his way through the book. We had to help a little bit but it was a great confidence booster. It also helped to give him a glimpse into what the math program will be like this year. He hasn’t made it through the book (it is quite big!) but we are working on two pages a day. It has helped to reinforce all the lessons that were taught (and beginning to fade!) since last year.
Math skills are so important to practice on a daily basis as each lesson is based on the previous and a child can quickly become lost. Supplementing short lessons at home is so important and these books made it easy for us as parents!
For a limited time, DK Canada is offering 30% at the Making Math Fun! Boutique.
How do you help your child at home with math skills? Do you have your own program? Or do you use resource books?
Disclosure: I received a free copy of the above mentioned books. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 27, 2014
Home To Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney #review
Family, home and the first year of marriage – all of these are important aspects of our life but can cause great stress as well. Especially that first year of marriage! All of these combine to make a wonderful, heart warming story of family and love in Home to Chicory Lane.
Audrey Whitman’s dreams are starting to take root. Now that their five kids have grown and left the family home, her husband Grant and herself are turning their beloved family home into a cozy bed and breakfast just a mile outside of Langhorne, Missouri.
Opening weekend makes Audrey anxious with friends and family coming from all over to help celebrate the occasion. When Audrey’s daughter, Landyn, arrives with the U-Haul making it clear she is not just there for a couple of days. Audrey immediately has questions. What happened in New York that sent her daughter running home? Where was her daughter’s husband Chase? What else was her daughter not telling her? The only thing she knew for sure was that Chicory Inn was off to a rocky start. Can Audrey still realize her dream and at the same time provide comfort of home to her daughter that she desperately needs.
While reading this novel I felt an almost instant connection with Landyn – it was like that was me in my undergraduate years, struggling with the pressures of “real” life, learning that money doesn’t grow on trees as well as balancing a pregnancy. I loved how their faith in God helped Landyn and Chase through the darkest moments of their life. Many times when I am scared or nervous about starting something new praying or attending mass is the most calming experience for me. It helps to clear my mind and see the path that God wants me to follow. Many readers will be able to connect both with Landyn and her Mother, Audrey. It is a wonderful story of family and the struggles we all go through on our journey – at the end of the day we are all the same and on the same path!
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse blog tour here.
August 26, 2014
$200 B&B Weekend Getaway Giveaway & 9/9 Facebook Party with Deborah Raney!
The first book in Deborah Raney‘s new Chicory Inn series, Home to Chicory Lane, introduces us to Audrey Whitman, a mother who has launched all her children into life and now looks forward to fulfilling some of her own dreams during her empty-nest years. However, not all of her children are ready to stay out of the nest quite yet.
Deborah is celebrating the release of her new series with a $200 B&B Weekend Getaway and a Facebook author chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A B&B Weekend Getaway (via a $200 Visa cash card)
- Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 9th. Winner will be announced at the Home to Chicory Lane Author Chat Party on 9/9. Deborah will be hosting a heartfelt book chat, giving away prizes, and answering questions from readers. She will also share an exclusive sneak peek at the next book in the Chicory Inn series!
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 9th!
August 26, 2014
Come Break Records with @KinderCanada at the CNE! #kindersmiles #kindermom
Are you ready for another surprise from Kinder Canada as they celebrate their 40th year?
This Saturday, August the 30th they are inviting you to join them at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto to attempt a Guinness world record!
Excited?
Now here are all the important details you need to know before this special event:
Arrive at the CNE (210 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto) at Bandshell Park near the Kid’s World at 10:20 am. Starting at 10:40 am every participant will receive a Kinder egg (free!). Then at 11:00 am we will attempt to break the Guinness record for the most people unwrapping chocolate at the same time!
The Kinder Smiles Booth will also be at the event ready to capture all of your precious #KinderSmiles so if you weren’t able to make it to the Eaton Centre you can take advantage of the booth being at the CNE this weekend.
For those of you who can’t make the event this weekend make sure you follow Kinder Canada on Facebook and Twitter, as well as follow online with the #kindersmiles hash tag. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend!
Disclosure: I am part of the Kinder Mom program and receive special perks for being a part of this program. All opinions are my own.