Saturday, November 30, 2013

Wonderfully Dysfunctional Tour

 


The true story of... A woman who laughs at funerals. A gypsy mother who refuses to wear a bra and a father who refuses to leave his first wife. A brother who sleeps under the coffee table and a sister who was kidnapped. A cheating minister, a missing uncle and a feisty, red-headed grandmother who was longing to leave it all.



Buffi always knew her family was unusual, but she was lucky enough to escape that gene. Or was she? Joined by her siblings at the bedside of their dying grandmother, Buffi begins on a journey of self discovery as they recall stories of their youth including juicy family secrets, inappropriate practical jokes, abuse and betrayal. She is on a quest to find Normal but finds herself instead.

It Must be Genetic is about an American family of no particular importance, descendants of the once wealthy and revered Perry clan, but stripped of their family wealth during the Great Depression. It’s full of quirky characters like grandmother Mopsie; a sexy divorced mother of two in the 1950’s who would turn the heads of her conservative neighbors when hosting the best poker parties in town, but who can now be found sleeping her days away in the bed of a nursing home. The story climaxes when Mopsie accidentally reveals a secret that sends her family frantically searching through old documents to find the son she gave up for adoption half a century ago.

It Must be Genetic is about acceptance, forgiveness and the great capacity to love. The story is written from the perspective of a third generation divorced mother, Buffi, who realizes that the very traits that make her family dysfunctional may be the same traits that make it so wonderful. At 64,000 words, it's paced for a quick-and-easy read.

Buy the book from.....

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble


Buffi Lynn Neal is a free-spirited mother of two currently living in a small town in Central New Jersey. She earned her Masters of Computer Science from Lehigh University. She also holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in both Mathematics and Physics.



Although Buffi spent twenty years working in the field of Computer Science she longed for the day that she could use her passion for writing to tell the unusual stories of her life.



Who am I? I'm a forgetful, kind-hearted, forty-plus year old mother of two who has great logic skills but spells worse than a fourth grader. I'm afraid of the dark and never shut my eyes in the shower. I bite my nails and peel my sunburn. Actually, I will peel anyone's sunburn. I would rather stick hot burning embers in my eyes than take out the garbage and I would rather be comfortable than look good. Like my mother and grandmother, I love the beach.



I am much more than I can write and I can write much more than I am.




Buffi is currently working on the second memoir in her "Wonderfully Dysfunctional" series. 

Follow the Author
Author's WebsiteBlog,  Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Goodreads 


                                          My Review 



Buffi's family is truly dysfunctional but in a comical and endearing way.  Buffi is a natural at weaving a quirky story that draws us not only into her family but also brings us reflection on our own family stories.  Her style of writing is fluid and bare bones honest.  I found Wonderfully Dysfunctional to be a fantastically weaved tapestry and I cannot wait to read more of Buffi’s writing!!







Books to come.....
Wonderfully DysfunctionalTM - Breaking the Silence



At the age of nine I met my grandfather for the first time. It had been over twenty five years since my mother saw him. He arrived completely by surprise, bringing gifts for all, and was ready to be a part of our lives. I was the lucky one chosen to take a month trip to Florida with him. During the day it was ice cream, new clothes, and Disney World, and during the night it was something very unnatural. What my family did not know, was Grandpa Jack was a pedophile.



"Breaking the Silence" is part of the "Wonderfully Dysfunctional" Memoir series. It's the journey of a young girl who loved her grandpa so much that it would take thirty years, four deaths, two lawsuits, many lawyers and doctors before she would Break the Silence and tell her story of love and abuse through the eyes of a child.





buffi neals booksWonderfully DysfunctionalTM - 1982 Out Past Curfew 



It was 1982. I was only fourteen, and it was the year I learned about sex, drugs, love, and friendship. It was the year I became a woman and my mother became a person. It was the year of firsts for many of us; our first real kiss, first drink, first smoke, and first ride in the back of a police car.



We were a poor family living in a middle class neighborhood. The world was exciting and everything was new. I was a sponge soaking up all the good and the bad life had to offer. I learned that the child of an alcoholic has an unmistakable talent for holding their liquor, a teenager has the power to drive their parents to insanity, and if you turn your back on a friend you have turned your back on yourself. 




"1982 Out Past Curfew" is part of the "Wonderfully Dysfunctional" Memoir series. It's about the coming of age, the struggle to understand your sexuality and accept your past. It's about finding lifelong love and friendship from the most unexpected people. Many life lessons happened after curfew in 1982.





Tour Dates






Photobucket



I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.





Thursday, November 28, 2013

**Public Service Announcement**

********PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT **** PLEASE READ****
Some stores have decided to start their black Friday sales this evening so begins the next 24 hrs of hectic and hell for their employees. PLEASE if you are out scavenging for a great deal please do not be hateful ungrateful jerks to the employees. It is not the salesman's or clerk's fault if a store does not have ____ item you are dying for, nor are they responsible for pricing. Please RESPECT limits and rules. FINALLY take care and concern to not trample or hurt other customers or their children, or even salespeople. Try and take your common sense and common decency with you if you are venturing out. ************************** And if you get the chance please stop and thank salespeople who help you, they are there missing out on family time, or family time is cut short so that YOU can get a _____ whatever at a cheap price.
***Love and prayers to all my friends & family who work retail during this darkest 24 hrs of the year***

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Twin Flames Giveaway

A fantastic and unique giveaway brought to you by author of the Love Collection's latest release, Twin Flames,  Kanta Bosniak


One Lucky Winner will win:
SIGNED BOOKS of all the love collection books

Love Poems Book

Awakened Love - more love poems

Twin Flames - more love poems

The Love is Everywhere Coloring Book

PLUS 1 hour coaching session worth rrp $150 (optional) ** 



2 runner-up prizes of Signed Book Twin Flames 



Open to UK / US / CA

Ending on Thursday 12th December at 11.59pm 12pm EST



"Almost all my books, the workshops that I facilitate, and the one-on-one work I do with individual clients incorporates creativity in the spiritual growth process. This is because positive thoughts need to go deeper than the intellectual level. When they are intended to be so, creative activities like creative journaling, poetry-writing, drawing and doodle art, can be forms of self-hypnosis or meditation. They can take you right into your center of peace and wisdom and keep you engaged there long enough to enjoy an increased sense of well-being and to receive inspiration for your next steps in creating the life you desire. Please feel free to use these pages as a launching pad to your own artistic explorations. Extend and expand beyond the lines, jot notes, write haikus and affirmations, and above all have fun! " - author Kanta Bosniak

Celebrating the author's latest book release from her 'Love Collection'

Twin Flames is the third book of sacred love poems by author, artist and minister Rev. Kanta Bosniak. Blending spirituality, sensuality, raw human emotion and spiritual bliss, love for the beloved and the Inner Beloved, the author’s original poems and classic love quotes, all served up with whimsical illustrations, it’s a romantic feast to be savored and shared. It makes a lovely gift for your friends, your sweetheart, wedding party or wedding “thank you,” engaged or anniversary couple. And most of all, as a gift from you to you, as you honor both your spiritual and romantic selves and the delicious interplay between them.











More from the 'Love Collection'
Kanta Bosniak's Love Poems express the joy, zeal, and sense of sacred connection we feel when we are in love with a partner, passionate friend, spouse, or the inner Beloved. The collection is a potent combination of romantic and spiritual love whimsically illustrated by the author. Readers will find in it just the right blend of humor, sweetness and ardor. A perfect little gift for a special occasion, or simply to celebrate the everyday miracle of unruly, surprising love! 

Awakened Love is the second in a series of sacred love poetry by New Thought author, artist and minister Kanta Bosniak. Delightfully illustrated with whimsical, heart-themed drawings and quotes on love, the book imbues spiritual meaning with lightness and a sense of fun. The perfect size to slip in with a wedding gift or slide across the table at that special dinner. As with Bosniak's other print books, you're invited to color in and embellish the illustrations as you desire. A sweet little gift book and rich new source of alternative wedding readings. 

Nurture your spirit with hands-on creativity that activates inner wisdom and joy! This coloring book for teens and adults includes whimsical illustrations from mind/body/spirit books of author/artist Kanta Bosniak. They invite you to find love inside, out and everywhere and to draw outside the lines! 

**One Hour Coaching Session with the author
One hour coaching session with the author rrp$150 on cultivating a relationship with the Inner Beloved: self-love, self-appreciation and self-acceptance, an increased awareness of self-worth, openness to accepting love, anchoring Love as the operating principle in your life, and attracting loving experiences from the inside out. (optional additional prize - to be taken in 2014 via Skype or Landline (call charges not included))



About Kanta Bosniak



Kanta Bosniak is an author, artist, coach and interfaith minister with over
40 years experience an educator in Spiritual Growth and Guided Meditation. She illustrates her publications with playful drawings and vibrant, color-rich cover
art, so that readers and CD listeners can enjoy owning her work.



As your personal collection grows, you may be interested to know that you're in good company! Collectors of Kanta's art include a Nobel Prize Winner, an Emmy-winning producer, a popular television actress, several authors, a U.S. National champion athlete and people of all walks of life.
Kanta lives in Southwestern Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she has a private practice of coaching and Guided Imagery. She is available for appointments both in person and by telephone and Skype. She is a frequent speaker at New Thought churches, universities and Holistic Education centers and conferences throughout the US. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women.
Kanta Bosniak's Website



Enter Below and Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Spiritual Coaching, Guided Meditation, and Energy Work are educational and spiritual. The author does not diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure. The author does not do counseling nor psychotherapy. Spiritual Coaching, Guided Meditation, and Energy Work are not intended as a replacement for traditional medical treatment or counseling. If you have medical or psychological concerns, please consult a physician or counselor.




Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Twin Flames Book Tour

Kanta Bosniak is an author, artist, coach and interfaith minister with over 40 years experience an educator in Spiritual Growth and Guided Meditation. 
"Almost all my books, the workshops that I facilitate, and the one-on-one work I do with individual clients incorporates creativity in the spiritual growth process. This is because positive thoughts need to go deeper than the intellectual level. When they are intended to be so, creative activities like creative journaling, poetry-writing, drawing and doodle art, can be forms of self-hypnosis or meditation. They can take you right into your center of peace and wisdom and keep you engaged there long enough to enjoy an increased sense of well-being and to receive inspiration for your next steps in creating the life you desire. Please feel free to use these pages as a launching pad to your own artistic explorations. Extend and expand beyond the lines, jot notes, write haikus and affirmations, and above all have fun! " - author Kanta Bosniak

Celebrating the author's latest book release from her 'Love Collection'

Twin Flames is the third book of sacred love poems by author, artist and minister Rev. Kanta Bosniak. Blending spirituality, sensuality, raw human emotion and spiritual bliss, love for the beloved and the Inner Beloved, the author’s original poems and classic love quotes, all served up with whimsical illustrations, it’s a romantic feast to be savored and shared. It makes a lovely gift for your friends, your sweetheart, wedding party or wedding “thank you,” engaged or anniversary couple. And most of all, as a gift from you to you, as you honor both your spiritual and romantic selves and the delicious interplay between them.

Buy the book from ....


More from the 'Love Collection'


Kanta Bosniak's Love Poems express the joy, zeal, and sense of sacred connection we feel when we are in love with a partner, passionate friend, spouse, or the inner Beloved. The collection is a potent combination of romantic and spiritual love whimsically illustrated by the author. Readers will find in it just the right blend of humor, sweetness and ardor. A perfect little gift for a special occasion, or simply to celebrate the everyday miracle of unruly, surprising love!



Buy the book from....

Amazon.co.uk   Amazon.com   Barnes and Noble







Awakened Love is the second in a series of sacred love poetry by New Thought author, artist and minister Kanta Bosniak. Delightfully illustrated with whimsical, heart-themed drawings and quotes on love, the book imbues spiritual meaning with lightness and a sense of fun. The perfect size to slip in with a wedding gift or slide across the table at that special dinner. As with Bosniak's other print books, you're invited to color in and embellish the illustrations as you desire. A sweet little gift book and rich new source of alternative wedding readings.



Buy the book from...

Amazon.co.uk   Amazon.com   Barnes and Noble







Nurture your spirit with hands-on creativity that activates inner wisdom and joy! This coloring book for teens and adults includes whimsical illustrations from mind/body/spirit books of author/artist Kanta Bosniak. They invite you to find love inside, out and everywhere and to draw outside the lines!



Buy the book from....

Amazon.co.uk   Amazon.com   Barnes and Noble




                            My Review

Okay so I totally feel Kanta Bosniak is in my head lol.  I love coloring mandalas and even doodling in my books.  Her poems are light hearted and really speak to me on a deep level.  I find the whole collection to be relaxing, and I kept a smile the whole time I read the poems.  Since sitting down and reading all the books in one sitting, I have re-read them several times.  My favorites are "Twin Flames" from Twin Flames, "Rainbow" from Awakened Love, & "Mind Reader" from Love Poems.
I would recommend these books to anyone who is in love, awakening their soul, or even fans of the "Chicken Soup for the soul series".  




More books from the author


About Kanta Bosniak

Kanta Bosniak is an author, artist, coach and interfaith minister with over
40 years experience an educator in Spiritual Growth and Guided Meditation. She illustrates her publications with playful drawings and vibrant, color-rich cover
art, so that readers and CD listeners can enjoy owning her work.



As your personal collection grows, you may be interested to know that you're in good company! Collectors of Kanta's art include a Nobel Prize Winner, an Emmy-winning producer, a popular television actress, several authors, a U.S. National champion athlete and people of all walks of life.



Kanta lives in Southwestern Virginia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she has a private practice of coaching and Guided Imagery. She is available for appointments both in person and by telephone and Skype. She is a frequent speaker at New Thought churches, universities and Holistic Education centers and conferences throughout the US. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women.



"Pop on over to my Abundance Triggers Website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodread pages"


Follow the Book Tour....






Photobucket

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.




Sunday, November 17, 2013

Fair Disclosure Book Tour

 

NEWLY RELEASED ..........


FAIR DISCLOSURE: A New Jillian Hillcrest Mystery


Jillian and ex-husband Chad are enjoying a play at a local community theater when a scream interrupts the production upon discovery of a bludgeoned volunteer. When it turns out that the victim is someone Jillian interviewed for a job at her company, she becomes involved in another crime, drawn ever deeper by a second murder, an irate investor, the participation of law enforcement amateurs, an increasingly unreliable assistant, and suspicious stock trading at her company. Meanwhile, Chad is pressuring Jillian to say “yes” to a second marriage.



About Jillian Hillcrest
Jillian Hillcrest is a PR Executive at a small biotechnology company in Silicon Valley who—through no fault of her own—gets drawn into solving murders.



Jillian grew up with her mother in a small town in Pennsylvania, although they moved to California when she was in middle school. Her mother now lives in southern California. Jillian never got to know her father, as he was killed in the Vietnam War. She got married right after graduating from Cal to Chad Bradbury, who is a marketing executive at a biotech company in Alameda, CA. They got divorced after 10 years of marriage, and, quite frankly, are not sure why. They still enjoy getting together. In particular, they enjoy going to restaurants and drinking wine.



As the head of corporate communications, Jillian is responsible for updating investors, employees, the media, partners, and the community about Harmonia and its products. You might wonder about the name of the 200-person company that develops drug products for autoimmune diseases. The founder compared balancing the human immune system with singing in harmony. In Greek mythology, Harmonia is the goddess of harmony and concord.



Buy the book........

Barnes and Noble


My Review
        Fair Disclosure was the first Jillian Hillcrest novel that I have read.  Luckily I was able to jump in and enjoy the book on it’s own although it is third in a series.  I am a huge mystery fan so I loved that the story opens right away with an attempted murder, during a play that Jillian and her Ex were attending.  The first intriguing aspect is that the man who was injured happened to have interviewed previously for a job at Jillian’s company.  In classic who-done-it style, Jillian sets out to discover what is really going on.  Fresh off of a case that left her unsure and a bit scared still.  Luckily she and her Ex-husband Chad are back together so she has him to lean on.
  I really loved how smooth Joyce Strand’s writing is, flowing from situation to situation.  The romantic aspect was great as well! It was a more realistic look at love versus the typical fairy tale stuff you find in a lot of books.  Her characters were wonderfully developed and the reader can easily connect with them.



Joyce Strand, much like her fictional character Jillian Hillcrest, served as head of corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike Jillian, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. She focused on writing articles and press releases and delivering presentations to publicize her companies.



Joyce has been a mystery fan since she read her first Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy stories as a teen-ager. She has always enjoyed the challenge of following clues to solve a mystery before it is revealed. Therefore Joyce relished the transition from writing press releases to writing fiction.



Joyce received her Ph.D. from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and her B.A. from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.   She lives with her two cats in Southern California near San Diego.




Follow the Author

Website,   Blog,   Facebook,   Twitter,   Pinterest   Goodreads 




Follow the Book Tour









I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.



Fair Disclosure Giveaway

WIN $50 AMAZON OR PAYPAL GIFTCARD!!



One Lucky Winner will win $50 Amazon or Paypal Giftcard !!

Courtesy of author of Fair Disclosure, Joyce T Strand
Ending on Sunday 8th December at 11.59pm EST
Open to US / CA / UK / New Zealand / Australia


NEWLY RELEASED ..........


FAIR DISCLOSURE: A New Jillian
Hillcrest Mystery


Jillian
and ex-husband Chad are enjoying a play at a local community theater when a scream interrupts the production upon discovery of a bludgeoned volunteer. When it turns out that the victim is someone Jillian interviewed for a job at her company, she becomes involved in another crime, drawn ever deeper by a second murder, an irate investor, the participation of law enforcement amateurs, an increasingly unreliable assistant, and suspicious stock trading at her company.  
Meanwhile, Chad is pressuring Jillian to say “yes” to a second marriage.



About Jillian Hillcrest
Jillian Hillcrest is a PR Executive at a small biotechnology company in Silicon Valley who—through no fault of her own—gets drawn into solving murders.



Jillian grew up with her mother in a small town in Pennsylvania, although they moved to California when she was in middle school. Her mother now lives in southern California. Jillian never got to know her father, as he was killed in the Vietnam War. She got married right after graduating from Cal to Chad Bradbury, who is a marketing executive at a biotech company in Alameda, CA. They got divorced after 10 years of marriage, and, quite frankly, are not sure why. They still enjoy getting together. In particular, they enjoy going to restaurants and drinking wine.



As the head of corporate communications, Jillian is responsible for updating investors, employees, the media, partners, and the community about Harmonia and its products. You might wonder about the name of the 200-person company that develops drug products for autoimmune diseases. The founder compared balancing the human immune system with singing in harmony. In Greek mythology, Harmonia is the goddess of harmony and concord.



Enter Below and Good Luck !!


Friday, November 15, 2013

Wonderfully Dysfunctional Giveaway


One Lucky Winner will win $20 Amazon Giftcard,
courtesy of author of Wonderfully Dysfunctional: it must be genetic, Buffi Neal
Ending on Sunday 15th December at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide 


The true story of... A woman who laughs at funerals. A gypsy mother who refuses to wear a bra and a father who refuses to leave his first wife. A brother who sleeps under the coffee table and a sister who was kidnapped. A cheating minister, a missing uncle and a feisty, red-headed grandmother who was longing to leave it all.

Buffi always knew her family was unusual, but she was lucky enough to escape that gene. Or was she? Joined by her siblings at the bedside of their dying grandmother, Buffi begins on a journey of self discovery as they recall stories of their youth including juicy family secrets, inappropriate practical jokes, abuse and betrayal. She is on a quest to find Normal but finds herself instead.

It Must be Genetic is about an American family of no particular importance, descendants of the once wealthy and revered Perry clan, but stripped of their family wealth during the Great Depression. It’s full of quirky characters like grandmother Mopsie; a sexy divorced mother of two in the 1950’s who would turn the heads of her conservative neighbors when hosting the best poker parties in town, but who can now be found sleeping her days away in the bed of a nursing home. The story climaxes when Mopsie accidentally reveals a secret that sends her family frantically searching through old documents to find the son she gave up for adoption half a century ago.
It Must be Genetic is about acceptance, forgiveness and the great capacity to love. The story is written from the perspective of a third generation divorced mother, Buffi, who realizes that the very traits that make her family dysfunctional may be the same traits that make it so wonderful. At 64,000 words, it's paced for a quick-and-easy read.

Buy the book from.....

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble
Enter Below & Good Luck !!



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Both Sides Giveaway


3 LUCKY WINNERS WILL EACH WIN A $10 AMAZON GIFTCARD
Courtesy of author of Both Sides, Paul Stawski
Ending on Sunday 8th December at 11.59pm EST
Open Worldwide !!

Imagine if you were in a tragic accident – unable to move or speak but otherwise cognizant of everything around you. Imagine hearing doctors deciding your fate without you having a voice in the outcome.

Alex is a 16-year-old girl who finds herself in that exact situation in Both Sides, a novel that begins when – while on a class field trip – Alex and another girl, Sandra, end up in a horrible accident.

If the doctors act quickly, they may be able to save one body…and one brain. Amid the confusion and uncertainty, we hear everything that’s going on in Alex’s mind – from her initial disbelief to her quips about the absurdity of it all to her realization that she may have to go through the rest of her life living in the body of a girl she couldn’t stand. If she survives.

Both Sides tackles these issues and more. Within its pages every reader will find her own answers and discover, in the end, a story of courage and a girl who never before existed.

Award-winning author Paul E. Stawski captures the minute-by-minute struggles of a 16-year-old girl whose world is suddenly turned upside down in Both Sides. Radical brain surgery is the only option. Time is running out and Alex’s mind is racing: will she still be the same person when she comes out on the other side?

Buy the book from....

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble


Enter Below & Good Luck !!
 

Monday, November 4, 2013

MAPS - MAPAS (HAPPY LANGUAGE KIDS - a bilingual book series for elementary school (English/ Spanish))




MAPS - MAPAS (HAPPY LANGUAGE KIDS - a bilingual book series for elementary school (English/ Spanish))

Image copyright Amazon.com

 

This is a really great resource for English speaking children to learn Spanish as well as a English language course for children with Spanish as their mother language. This bilingual children's book is a wonderful edition to every family wishing to enrich their children's lives.  Easy to read and follow as well as fantastic illustrations. 

 

  Buy Here!! 

 

 

 



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

13 British Horror Stories Review






13 British Horror Stories
By: Rayne Hall


I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of creepy horror stories.  I read them all on a dreary afternoon perfect for some light reading!  I found the stories well written and many humorous.   I would recommend this book to anyone who likes scary stories that are not too scary.



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.