New Mom, New Woman: Creating your Smart Motherhood Plan

New Mom, New Woman provides you with skills and strategies to become more competent, decisive, and empowered. You will develop a broader perspective of your new life, a deeper awareness of your needs and desires, and a keen understanding that a life you love won’t happen miraculously; it needs to be consciously defined and deliberately designed.

Rachel Egan, MBA, is a certified life coach and President of Maternity Transitions®—a national coaching service provider. She is the author of Life after ‘I Do!’ and lives in Massachusetts with her husband and four children.

My Review:

The New Mom, New woman book by Rachel Egan is a great guide for new mothers. It's an easy read for after the baby is born. Although, it would be interesting to read before hand. There are a lot of handy exercises for moms to complete. For example, I enjoyed The Compass and The 3 C's. 

There are plenty of useful tips to adjust to motherhood.There is tips for everyone- even as a veteran parent. It doesn't leave out fathers or other parental helpers. I would add this to a new parent's gift guide!

Thank you netgalley :)

Wicka-Review

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About the Book

Title: Wicka: The Chronicles of Elizabeth Blake | Author: Christy Deveaux | Publication Date: May 28, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 224 | Recommended Ages: 12+ Book Description: While mourning the loss of a mother figure, Elizabeth Blake, a smart but socially introverted seventeen-year-old girl from Ann Arbor, Michigan, enrolls in an international school in the south of France to finish her final year of high school. Here she meets her true love, finds out that she is a witch from an ancient family, and discovers that her life is in danger. Meanwhile, the Elders—the most powerful coven of witches in the world—have been tracking Elizabeth since her birth. According to an ancient legend, a battle led by “One barely born existing to lead” will cause the downfall of the Elders. Fearing that Elizabeth is the heir to this legend, the Elders try to destroy her before she can fulfill the prophecy. With the help of her new friends, Elizabeth must travel to Greece to try and prove to the Elders that she is not a threat and to ask for their permission to exist in peace. With the prospect of having to leave each other once the school year ends and return to their homes on opposite sides of the world, Elizabeth and her new love have to find a way to stay together. However, a rival love interest discovers their plan and causes the Elders to act against Elizabeth. As time runs out, Elizabeth must learn to use the powers she possesses to protect herself and the people she loves most.

Amazon * Smashwords * Kobo * Goodreads

 

The Buzz About the Book

"I truly enjoyed Wicka, a paranormal fantasy with love, jealousy, betrayal, and of course, magic. Young adult-friendly, the book contains its own mythos that really added to the interest in the story for me. It has a truly original take on witch lore, with its own quirks and novelties, that enrich the existing idea of witchcraft. The interpersonal story here is also compelling, and it’s perfect for teens. All in all, fantastic." ~ Sam G.

"Not only did I find the overview captivating when reading the description, but the story caught my attention right from the start. It takes a lot for a story to do that as I am easily bored - I may as well just be honest about it. This book had me reading it from start to finish and I couldn't put it down until it was complete. The story was well written and I look forward to reading more novels by this author!" ~ A. Drewes

"Mystery, suspense, love and a fascinating main character. I couldn’t put it down!" ~ Patricia Martin

 

About the Author: Christy Deveaux

Christy Deveaux is the author of The Chronicles of Elizabeth Blake series. Her highly anticipated first book in the series, Wicka, was just released this spring (2014). Inspired by traveling across Europe solo at a very young age, and many travel adventures since, the character and story line behind Elizabeth Blake was born. Christy majored in political science and earned a cross-disciplinary degree from the University of Western Ontario. She lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband, three children and a fish named Cow.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

 

My Review 

Elizabeth comes from a very strong witch family. It is fascinating that the witch gene only presents itself in the females.  I wonder why because in other witch families the males can have witch power. 

Elizabeth and William are a cute couple. They work well together. Elizabeth's lack of witch knowledge is nuanced further by Sophie. Sophie who was bought up in the traditional witch way has many negative beliefs about humans. In many ways, it makes Sophie act like a terrible person. However, it is not quite what it seems. 

The story is very cute and family oriented. Families are a big part of the story.  Elizabeth's and William's connection gets deeper as the story progresses. William is close to his family, who accept Elizabeth and try to protect her. 

Elizabeth finds out more about her family, which is the crux of what is happening to her in the present. It is amazing how much family history affects people in the future. That happens in real life too, even if it shouldn't. Blood ties are important. 

Also, there is a bit of suspense and adventure in this novel, it fits in with the fantasy element. This novel is perfect for young readers.  It is detailed but not extremely gory or sexual, if you do not like reading about those things. Additionally, the characters are good role models.
I really enjoyed the ending- everything was tied together and it made you consider Elizabeth's future and be right there with her. 

What to Feed an Asperger's- Review

This book is perfect for parents and caregivers of children on the Spectrum or with Sensory disorders. Even if your child is just a picky eater, there are several adaptable tips.

The format is great! It is broken down into breakfast, lunch and dinner and snacks. You can easily open to where you need the most help. Also, there are great recipes interspersed through the book.


At the end of the book, there are meal planning tips and charts. This is a great visual way to help you organize meal times. I also liked how Patton tells you about her son's experiences throughout the book.

5 stars

Thanks Netgalley! 

The Calloways - Tour and Review

My Review

On a Night like This gave me chills. The first chapter was not what I was expected, but I was  quickly drawn into the story. You care about every single person in this tale. It's amazing!Amazing! Yes, I wrote amazing twice! You feel so much for Sara and Aiden. 

Sara is a very strong character ( and would have to be to match Aiden lol). Her rocky relationship with her father reminded me of my own lackluster relationship.  Problems with relationships spill into all parts of your life.  As for Aiden, he was also having issues after a major work incident. 
Very intense! A story at its core about family. This is the type of novel you curl up in your favourite chair with a blanket and cup of tea to read. I am so grateful the novel is part of a series! Furthermore, I really enjoyed the ending.
5 stars!

About the Author: Barbara Freethy has been making up stories most of her life. Growing up in a neighborhood with only boys and a big brother who was usually trying to ditch her, she spent a lot of time reading. When she wasn’t reading, she was imagining her own books. After college and several years in the P.R. field, she decided to try her hand at a novel. Now Barbara is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author loved by readers all over the world. Her novels range from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Learn more on her website, Facebook page, or in her Street Team.

Check out this excerpt from #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy's first book in the Callaway family series…Then Read on for more information about this blog tour and all its great prizes!

Her father stared back at her, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Why are you here, Sara?"
"I wanted to be here for your birthday. It's been a long time since we've shared more than an email. We should talk, catch up with each other."
"Why on earth would you want to talk to me?"
The confusion in his eyes made her realize just how far apart they'd drifted. "Because you're my father. You're my family. We're the only ones left."
"Do you need money?"
"This isn't about money. Mom would not have wanted us to end up like strangers. We need to improve our relationship."
He stared back at her for a long moment, then said, "There's nothing left for you here, Sara. I wish you well, but we both need to move on. If you stay, it won't go well. We'll only disappoint each other."
Her chest tightened, the finality of his words bringing pain as well as anger. Her father was like a brick wall. She kept throwing herself at him, trying to break through his resistance, but all she ever achieved was a new batch of emotional bruises.
"You're a grown woman now," he added. "You don't need a father."
"Not that I ever really had one," she countered, surprising herself a little with the words. She was used to holding her tongue when it came to her dad, because talking usually made things worse.
"I did my best."
"Did you?"
A tickle caught at her throat and her eyes blurred with unwanted tears. She had not come here to cry. She sniffed, wondering why the air felt so thick. It took a minute to register that it was not her emotions that were making her eyes water, but smoke.
The same awareness flashed in her father's eyes. "Damn," he swore. "The kitchen—I was cooking—"
He ran out of the room, and she followed him down the stairs, shocked by how thick the smoke was in the entry.
She was on her dad's heels when he entered the kitchen. The scene was unbelievable. Flames shot two feet in the air off a sizzling pot on the stove. The fire had found more fuel in a stack of newspapers on the counter that had been left too close to the burner, those sparks leaping to the nearby curtains.
Her father grabbed a towel and tried to beat out some of the flames, but his efforts only seemed to make things worse. Embers flew everywhere, finding new places to burn, the heat growing more and more intense. Moving to the sink, she turned on the faucet and filled up a pitcher, but it was taking too long to get enough water. She threw some of it at the fire, but it made no difference.
"Move aside," her dad shouted, grabbing two hot pads.
"What are you doing?" she asked in confusion.
He tried to grab the pot and move it to the sink, but she was in the way, and he stumbled, dropping the pot in the garbage. She jumped back from an explosion of new fire.
"We have to call 911," she said frantically. But there was no phone in the kitchen, and her cell phone was in her bag by the entry. "Let's get out of here."
Her father was still trying to put out the fire, but he was getting nowhere.
"Dad, please."
"Get out, Sara," he said forcefully, then ran into the adjacent laundry room.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
"I have to get something important," he yelled back at her.
"Dad. We need to get out of the house." She coughed out the words, but she might as well have remained silent because her dad had vanished through the laundry room and down the back stairs to the basement. She couldn't imagine what he had to get. There was nothing but gardening tools and cleaning supplies down there.
She started to follow him, then jumped back as the fire caught the wallpaper next to her head, sizzling and leaping towards her clothing.
"Dad," she screamed. "We need to get out of the house."
A crash echoed through the house. Then all she could hear was the crackling of the fire.
Sara ran through the flames and down the stairs into the basement. A single light bulb dangled from a wire over the stairs, showing her father in a crumpled heap on the cement floor.
She dropped to her knees next to his still body. He was unconscious, blood under his head, and his right leg was twisted in an odd position. She put a hand on his chest. His heart was still beating.
"Dad," she said. "Wake up."
He blinked groggily. "Sara?" he asked in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"The kitchen is on fire. We need to get out of the house." A glance back over her shoulder revealed smoke pouring through the open door at the top of the stairs. There was no way out of the basement without going through the kitchen.
Her father tried to sit up, but quickly fell back, groaning with pain. "My leg is broken. You go."
"I can't leave you here. That's not an option."
"You can't carry me. Go. Get help."
"I'll be right back," she promised.
 She ran up the stairs, shocked and terrified when she saw how much worse the fire had gotten in literally minutes. The heat was intense. She could barely breathe, and there was a wall of flames between her and the only way out. She couldn't afford to be scared. Grabbing a towel off the top of the nearby washing machine, she covered her nose and mouth, and prepared to make a dash for it.
Before she could move, a figure appeared on the other side of the flames—a man.
A wave of relief swept through her. Help had arrived.
He barreled through the fire and smoke, batting away the flames as if they were troublesome bees. When he stopped in front of her, her heart jumped again.
"Aiden?" She lowered the towel from her face. He was the last Callaway she wanted to see.

About the Callaway Blog Tour & All Its Great Prizes!

This is the week you finally meet the Callaways! Not only are they all over the web as part of their extraordinary blog tour, but they are also out and about in your neighborhood. That's right; we're celebrating the print launch with Ingram by throwing a party all over the world! Make sure to follow this tour closely for your chance to win gift cards, swag, autographed books, and other incredible prizes.
All the info you need to join the fun and enter to win amazing prizes is RIGHT HERE. Remember, winning is as easy as clicking a button or leaving a blog comment—easy to enter; easy to win!
To Win the Prizes:
Purchase any of the Callaway novels by Barbara Freethy (optional)
Enter the Rafflecopter contest on Novel Publicity (go here)
Visit today’s featured social media event (that's where the HUGE prizes are)

Or enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer- Ashleigh's Books is not responsible for the giveaway. I was given a copy of the book but  that didn't affect my review.

Two Kids by Richard Levine- Review

My Review: Two Kids is a little difficult to get into. Or perhaps, I am just not feeling it . I really like that there is lots of description, though. Once the second half rolls around Two Kids is much easier to become interested in reading. It is very  detailed. The characters are your typical hence the name 'two kids'. They have a lot of important conversations and basically are kids living their lives.

My Rating

I feel the book is perfect for younger readers. I would give the book 3 stars. 

Devil's Music Revieew

Devil's Music is a wild ride. It was not what I was expecting~ And that is the best thing about it~ A little about the main ccharacter Cain is a demon controlled by his master His master sends him on a mission and he learns some interesting details about himself. He has forgotten his past, which is actually kind of epic. He is very fascinating and therefore not human. He not the demon you'd expect though. He is a very sweet guy. Some would argue that he doesn't stand up for himself enough. However, I feel he comes into his own.
I couldn't stand Cain's master's son. What a boring character.

I loved the "love interest" Michelle. She had a lot of ppersonalityand was more suited to Cain then to his master's son. Although Cain might disagree at first.
Also, I found the story a to be well written and full of detail.\\I thought it was very interesting to have been  based around music in 1980'a.  Now, I was born at the end of the 80's so I don't remember much personally. However,  I love music from the 80's and metal in particular has always spoken  to me. The idea of metal being satanic is just silly- however, I like the play in this story as well as the awesome title.

The end of Devils' Music was not what I anticipated. it was definitely dark and worrisome!~ I cannot  wait to read more from this author. She is very talented about making you care about the characters, even the arrogant ones like Vincent Sweet.  I also liked that Cain Pueudomantis was an enigmatic character.  He had depth and truly cared for his friends, Michelle and Steve and of course his band mates.

11.14. Induction Day

Yay I loved reading about Bianca from Butterman Travel Inc.  So I was super excited to read the sequel. It was like visiting a friend, The writing was superb.  Induction Day was a great time travel story and perfect for 16 and older age group.

It had a great story that made you question how your actions have consequences. The characters were awesome.
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Tour Page & Schedule

Induction Day (Butterman {Time} Travel, Inc #2) 

Ages: 16+

Pages: 247

The year 2069 is coming to a close, and eighteen-year-old Bianca Butterman's time-craft license is finally official. She's ready for the Induction Day she’s waited for since she was a kid—the one that will secure her name on the Butterman family tree of time travelers. But ever since the media discovered Bianca is pop superstar Tristan Helms’ latest new honey, everything Bianca does or says becomes a target of criticism. Having her professional credibility topping the gossip sites across social media is an open invitation for the government to step in and regulate Bianca’s Induction. Now she will have to ask herself if saving 1500 people from drowning is worth losing everything she’s ever worked for, including the Butterman family biz.

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated; a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. We’re a family owned and operated business with one hundred years of experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.

Anxious to attend some special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds?

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Use our Web conferencing to contact our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, who will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.

Goodreads | YouTube

  Information on Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc 

 

Description: Welcome to Butterman Travel, IncorporatedWe are a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. Family-owned and operated, we offer clients one hundred years of time travel experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.Anxious to attend a special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds?You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do applyConference us directly from our Website. Our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.

 Goodreads |  Amazon Kindle  | B&N  

    About the author:

PK Hrezo is a native Floridian rarely found without her flip flops on. She shares her home with her firefighter husband, their two children, and big dog named Ripley. When not creating characters and their worlds, PK can be found at her other job of rearranging passenger’s itineraries for a major international airline. The only hobbies she loves more than traveling are reading, writing, and music, and when the four are combined she exists in total bliss.

Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog

 

Giveaway:

To be entered into a special giveaway, copy one of these ready-made posts and share it. Make sure PK’s name is tagged so she can see it and enter your name into a giveaway. The more you share, the more entries you receive. Five winners will receive a time traveler’s book thong:

TWEETS:

Induction Day by @PKHrezo is a #timetravel #mustread. Retweet this to be entered into a special #giveaway. Add it to #AmazonCart here.

FACEBOOK:

Induction Day is here! A taut, fast-paced, engrossing read by PKHrezo. Find it on Amazon here:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9ADV2O

Share this post for an entry into a special giveaway.


GOOGLE PLUS
Induction Day by #PKHrezo is a #timetravel #mustread. Retweet this to be entered into a special #giveaway. A taut, fast-paced, engrossing read. Find it on Amazon here:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9ADV2O

Share this post for an entry into a special giveaway.

The Undiscovered Goddess- A Review

"An inspiring, funny tale about one woman's journey to become a better person." ~Kirkus Review

Who knew a Cosmo quiz and a bottle of wine could change a woman’s life?
Holly, housewife and frazzled mother of three, is determined to discredit the lackluster result of a Cosmopolitan magazine quiz. After buying a workbook geared toward helping her find her inner goddess, Holly sets off on a year of self-discovery, journaling through each exercise as she goes. Facing inner demons, yoga, an explosive colon cleanse and REALLY spicy curry, the lessons are hard on her emotions, not to mention her digestive system. But does she succeed in the end? Beyond the superficial, what important lesson does Holly’s inner goddess have the power to teach her…and what can Holly teach you?

My Review: 

I was intrigued by the premise of the book. Based on a self help book and the title drew me in. Right away, I found it difficult to connect with the main character- She was so self centered.  She did grow over the course of the novel but I did find it difficult to care about her. Overall, the book was well written. It was a great idea- self help books are a great way to find out more about yourself. I really appreciated the ending. I thought it brought the whole story together.

Most chick lit readers should enjoy this story. In many ways, it is true to life- a bored housewife who is tired of life. She isn't happy with how things are going.  Instead of changing externally, she changes internally, which is good.


I give this book a 3 star rating because I skimmed through parts of the book.

Quote:
 “Suffering is my teacher. If I pay attention to it instead of trying to numb it out, maybe it can lead me to its root.”

I really like the truth explored in this quote. 


About the author: 

Michelle Colston, mother, writer and all around American neurotic. What first began as a hobby, writing irreverent jokes and “Get to Know Your Friend” emails, has developed into a full-fledged vocation. Michelle draws inspiration from the simple experiences of day-to-day life such as; womanhood, friendship, wrangling a family, a messy house and a writing career—all while trying to refrain from using the F-word excessively. 
She keeps a weekly blog atwww.theundiscoveredgoddess.com and is currently working on a new series of upscale women’s fiction. 















Thanks netgalley for the review copy.

Shadows of Asphodel- Review

Shadows of Asphodel  by Karen Kincy is the charming story of a mercenary and a necromancer. As it is based on alternate history with diesel engines and magic - it is also diesel punk. Did I just call diesel punk charming? Well, it definitely is ! The characters are very charming and full of depth. Ardis and Wendel are great together. Other characters are just as interesting. I love how magic is blended into a tale of assassins.  Also, The history of the world war comes alive in a new way. I really like reading historical fiction through the lens of diesel punk.

What I liked: 

Ardis and Wendel- Both characters are equally strong and passionate. They are full of surprises and keep you guessing. 

The setting: I love history.  So I really enjoyed this take on the world war. I also liked how the diesel punk added to the overall story. 

The ending: I wasn't expecting it- either! Very well done. 

 I recommend this to fans of YA and NA as well as paranormal and steam and diesel punk. 

4 stars!

About the Author:

Karen Kincy (Kirkland, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College.


I recieved a review copy through CBB. Thank you. http://www.candacesbookblog.com

Autism Breakthrough -Review

As April 2nd was World Autism Day, I think it is important to highlight the fact that children on the spectrum are beautiful people who experience life differently. 

Review

Autism Breakthrough is the story of a man diagnosed as Autistic as a child but after years, his parents were able to reverse the diagnosis. This led to the development of the Son- Rise Program and a phenomenal new way to look at Autism.  Many people view an Autism diagnosis as set in stone. However, it is possible that you can ease or even reverse the diagnosis. of course, this doesn't always work. Still, this kind of knowledge is a huge step forward. This is an amazing story that shows how believing in someone can make a huge difference. The techniques are amazing and a new way to help kids. I think it is an improvement on the old paradigm. (which really ignored why kids with Autism were experiencing certain behaviours). 

There is such a positive message through this book. It uses groundbreaking research and real life experience. Is the author biased? Perhaps a little. However, he is the living embodiment of the program. He is also very honest in each chapter. I truly recommend this book to any parent and caregiver. It gives you such a deep understanding of Autism.

5 Stars!