November 19, 2013
Stones for Bread Review & KitchenAid Mixer #giveaway
Stones for Bread is a novel written by award winning author, Christa Parrish. Stones for Bread follows the story of a solitary, bread artisan Liesl McNamara. Her whole world is devoted to bread. The cultivation of yeast and the perfection of her craft is almost a religion to her. The art of making bread was passed down to her from both her Grandmother and Mother. Bread is her life and this makes life simple for her. This simplicity begins to change when her head baker brings in his troubled grandson, her waitress (and only friend) submits Liesl’s bakery to be on a flashy television show and her delivery man shows romantic interest in her. Her quiet existence which she has come to depend on becomes changed forever when her bakery is featured on the television show. She is forced to confront long hidden family secrets, her own insecurities and fears in order to move forward.
Stones for Bread was an emotional and honest read! Christa Parrish touched on real life topics that many of us can relate to. Liesl’s withdrawal and devotion to bread is something we can all relate to when we lose a loved one. We hang on to these little parts of our loved ones so we can remain connected to them, in this case Liesl’s connection was through bread. Bread is her heritage, her life and connection to those that she has loved and have passed on. It becomes difficult for her to let people in to this love, to let people love her and for her to trust. The same is so true for so many of us when we have dealt with pain and loss. It is so easy to become caught up in her pain that it is difficult to trust. Yet we all must make this journey to trust others again. To allow others back in to our lives. To love and let ourselves be loved again. Stones for Bread was an emotionally packed journey to self discovery. To find more reviews and information on Stones for Bread visit here.
Rating: 4.5/5
You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Christa Parrish is an award winning author of three novels. When she is not writing, she home school’s her three children. You can learn more about her here.
GIVEAWAY TIME!!
Christa Parrish is celebrating her fourth novel, Stones for Bread, with a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway.
Easy steps to enter:
1. Follow Christa Parrish and TNZ Fiction on Pinterest.
2. Then Pin the Stones for Bread book cover (below), the contest graphic (above), or both, and link to this post (using this URL: #StonesforBread KitchenAid Mixer Contest #ChristaParrish http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/stones-for-bread-by-christa-parrish).
3. Then fill out THIS SHORT FORM to let us know. (There are also some additional ways to earn extra entries, as well as an option for non-Pinterest users. It’s true—people like that do exist!)
Questions? Email info @ litfusegroup dot com.
Winner will be announced on 12/9 on Christa’s Facebook Page.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book for the purpose of a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 18, 2013
It’s Christmas! Baker’s Edition #giveaway
It’s Christmas Baker’s Edition Giveaway Event
Organized by: Mom Powered Media. Co-hosted by: Shannon’s View from Here, My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life, Joans 5 Star Reviews, Sweetphi, Mommy Kat and Kids and Naturally Frugalicious.
All my family and friends know how much I love to cook and bake! I can spend hours in the appliance and kitchen section at any store – have you seen all the incredible kitchen gadgets they are coming out with??!
My personal favourites that I would love to see under my Christmas tree:
(some subtle hints to the hubby, eh?!)
MPM Network Bloggers are gearing up for an amazing holiday season. Make sure you stop by and checkout all the tasty recipes below. Surely you will find something that makes your holiday even yummier!
One lucky reader will receive a KitchenAid Tilt-head Stand Mixer + accessories!
Giveaway ends December 9th at 11:59pm, open to US & Canada, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.
Disclosure:Working Mommy Journal is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact [email protected] with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!
November 15, 2013
React Mobile: Families Putting Safety First
The hardest part of being a parent? Learning how to trust and let your child venture out into the world. I am constantly scared for them. It is so much easier to ensure their safety when they are with me!
The day will come when I have to let them out. When they will want to walk to school either with friends or alone. They will want to head to the park to meet their friends without Mom or Dad tagging along. As terrifying as this is as a parent, it is a right of passage for children as they grow into young adults.
I was recently introduced to a mobile app called React Mobile. React Mobile is designed to fit into the lives of busy families and students. It is fairly common for many individuals, regardless of age, to carry a cell phone. I will personally be purchasing a cell phone for my son when he begins to want to walk home from school. React Mobile is an app for your iPhone or android smartphone that allows you to easily call for help with the push of a button.
So how does the React Mobile app work?
In an emergency, users are prompted to call 911. At the quick push of a button, users can send their GPS coordinates to a select group of emergency contacts via text message and email. Users can also send out an alert message to their Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The React Mobile app has quite a few everyday uses (many that you hope to never have to use!). The app’s premium “Follow Me” feature allows the user’s family to follow them in real time if they are concerned for their safety. At any time the user can send an SOS alert to have their family monitor and track them. There is even an “I’m Safe” button that the user can tap when they have arrived safely at their destination (pretty smart right?! This is one of my greatest concerns for my children – knowing they have arrived safely to their destination).
Check out their video below going over the app:
You can never be too safe with the personal security of your loved ones! The React Mobile app takes personal safety to a whole new level on mobile phones. To download this free app head over here.
Disclosure: This post was a sponsored post. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 15, 2013
Dear Mr. Knightley #review #giveaway
Dear Mr. Knightley is the debut novel from Katherine Reay. Dear Mr. Knightley follows the story of Samantha Moore, a young woman who has a hard and difficult life. She grew up in an abusive home and was orphaned at a young age. She was sent from one foster home to another. She hid her pain in her love of reading, especially the works of Austen, Dickens and the Bronte sisters. She developed such a close connection to these books that she begins to relate herself and those around her to those characters. She is given an incredible opportunity to apply to a journalist program at a prestige school where she is accepted. Her benefactor, Mr. Knightley, would pay for the the schooling as long as she writes frequent letters to him. The story takes a twist when she meets Alex Powell and falls in love.
Dear Mr. Knightley is written in the format of letters – almost as if it is Samantha’s personal diary as we follow her journey of self discovery. We are able to witness her most personal feelings and feel each moment with her. I felt like I was part of the novel and at times I just wanted to be able to reach out to her and hug her. Her story is a story that many of us can relate to or have met someone in these same shoes. We have all dealt with betrayal of trust in some form and it has left scars on our hearts. Learning to trust and allowing someone into our lives is so difficult especially when we have been hurt before. Throughout the novel you wanted to just reach out to Samantha and guide her, to tell her to trust her heart and let people in. This was the first novel I have read in over a year that has actually moved me to the point of tears. It was such an emotional story of pain, love, trust and hope.
Rating: 5/5
You can find more information and purchase the book here. If you would like to find more reviews on this book you can do so here.
And the GIVEAWAY part!
Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favourite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
- Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace)
Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH!
But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the “Dear Mr. Knightley” Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine’s next book.
So grab your copy of Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for free for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 12, 2013
It’s Christmas! #giveaway #US
It’s Christmas Giveaway Event
Organized by: Mom Powered Media. Co-hosted by: Bay Area Mommy, My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life, Barbara’s Beat, Giveaway Bandit, Slick Housewives, Love Me Some Coupons and Coupons and Freebies Mom.
So hard to believe it’s already time to get ready for Christmas!! Time has just flown by this year. It is so hard to believe that this was my little munchkin not too long ago!! We are all looking forward to Christmas this year. The boys are starting their Christmas lists. How are you preparing for the upcoming holiday season?
MPM Network Bloggers are super excited to share their Christmas Recipes, Crafts, Decor Ideas and much more with you this holiday season. Make sure you take a peek at the fabulous posts below. Surely you will find something that makes your holiday even brighter!
One lucky reader will receive a $500 Sears Gift Card!
Giveaway ends December 2nd at 11:59pm, open to US, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.
Disclosure:Working Mommy Journal is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact [email protected] with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!