New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up Week 6 2017

How are you all this week?  Valentines Day is approaching and we're all in the mood for lurve.  Well, I would be if it got a bit warmer.

We've not been hit by "Storm Doris" yet and frankly I'm hoping she stays away!  

Still, there are plenty of romantic tales to be found on this week's book linky.

The Husband has had his 50th birthday and is adamant he'll now be counting backwards.  Toy boys, eh?  Who'd have 'em?

I hope you're all planning some romantic treats for Valentines Day and if the love of your life hasn't appeared, treat yourself!

Don't forget that I still have plenty to be won on my competitions page and don't forget my problem page here.

Happy bargain and freebie book hunting on this link.

Have a great week!

Sharing the Love of Books
Enjoy our selection of New Releases / Free & Bargain Books this week

Authors please feel free to add your own books
Readers please free to add your own finds
(any genre except erotica welcome)

This weekly link up is hosted by Beck Valley Books & these awesome book loving blogs...
Monday
 Life as Leels | IrishdaisylovesRomance | Book Babble | All Romance Reader
Tuesday
It's My Side of Life | Celticlady's Reviews | First Time Mommy Adventures 
Wednesday
Beck Valley Books | Cinnamon Hollow Reviews
Thursday
Miki's Hope | Nicki's Nook
Friday
Ebook Addicts | I Love Romance | Colorimetry | The Ultimate Fan Blog | Mother Distracted
Saturday
Totally Addicted to Reading | 3 Partners in Shopping | Angie's Angle | I Create Purty Thangs | Wishful Endings
Sunday
Lynchburg Mama | LibriAmoriMiei | Ali - The Dragon Slayer | Wondermom Wannabe | Deal Sharing Aunt | Rambling Reviews 

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date 

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please.  Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click here for this weeks awesome selection!

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Quick Ways To Make Your Rented Accommodation Your Home

When you have just rented a new flat or apartment, the last thing you want to do is have to spend more on furniture or interior decoration.

In June last year, The Guardian newspaper reported that the cost to rent even a one bed flat was soaring and that workers under 30 pay almost half their monthly wages on rent.  For workers in London that figure rises to around 57%.

So what can you do to make a rented property feel like home without spending a fortune?  Here are some tips you might find helpful.

Buy the best quality furniture you can afford

Tempting as it is to dash of to IKEA, if you're looking for a more personal touch then it's worth spending the minimum on basics such as chairs, tables and lamps but investing a little more in your bed, mattress and bedding.

Go Second Hand

Ask your family and friends if they are looking to pass any furniture on.  You could also try Freecycle or there's car boot sales and charity shops, as well as Gumtree.

You may find a bargain - or even a valuable antique!

Be generous with the soft furnishings

My personal philosophy is you can never have too many throws and cushions.  (The Husband does not subscribe to this philosophy so a lot of 'negotiation' goes on)!

Soft furnishings can add quirkiness and warmth to a room, whether it's an unusual curtain design or an extra cosy rug.

Just remember if you hold lots of curry parties to buy things you can clean easily!

Asthma and allergy sufferers may be better off dispensing with old carpet (with the landlord's permission), polishing up a wood floor and adding rugs.

Get the paint brushes out

If you're stuck in a magnolia hell then (again with the landlord's permission), a repaint might be on the cards.  Just remember that dark colours will make a room look smaller whilst lighter colours will enhance the space.

Using mirrors will help make the space look lighter and brighter too.

If you're rubbish at painting (as I am), hold a painting party and reward your mates' artistic efforts with pizza and some chilled beers.

Add some art

Hanging pictures makes a huge difference to a room and if you're arty why not paint a few canvases of your own.  You can make some pretty simple but effective looking paintings using acrylic paints or, again, see if you can find some interesting pieces at local charity or antique shops, craft fairs or sales.

A great way of covering a large area of wall if you don't want to repaint is with a wall mural from Pixers.

There's a vast range of designs to choose from - anything from racing cars to cities like New York and traditional art and landscapes - or upload your own photo.  Simply attach to the wall with the special reusable adhesive supplied.

The wall murals come in a variety of sizes and you can even use the "view your room" function to see what it will look like in your room. Prices start at £18.

Bring the garden indoors

You can get reasonably price bunches of flowers from your local supermarket these days or just keep it simple using one seasonal flower as a theme - Snowdrops for February, Daffodils for March etc. Display them in mismatched vases or vintage glass bottles.

Or create a mini indoor garden by growing herbs in quirky pots and canisters.  Just remember not to leave sensitive plants on a sunny windowsill and remember to water them (something I am terrible at!).

You can't go to far wrong with the student staples of Spider plants and Cacti!

Get a candlelit glow

There's nothing like candles and tea lights for adding atmosphere.  You could even make your own scented teacup candles using your favourite essential oils - they make lovely presents too.

So there you have it - some cheap and cheerful ideas to make your space your own.  Just remember to check your tenancy agreement before you start making any material changes and make sure that you are able to take your new purchases with you when you move on.

What tips would you add to this list?

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Win A Cinderella Story - If The Shoe Fits DVD From Warner Bros UK

We all love the magical story of Cinderella and now there is a new contemporary musical version of this age old story which is sure to delight.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group will have you singing and dancing in your seat with the release of A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits on DVD 6th February 2017 (rated PG).

The musical film stars Sofia Carson (Descendants) in the lead role of Tessa (“Cinderella”); Academy Award® nominee, Jennifer Tilly (Bullets Over Broadway) as the cruel stepmother Divine, and Thomas Law (EastEnders) as The Prince.‬

In tune with the timeless magic of the Cinderella fairytale, this contemporary musical finds Tessa Golding (Sofia Carson) forced to go on vacation with her evil stepmother, Divine, and evil stepsisters, Olympia and Athena. 

Once at the posh resort, she realises she was brought only as a servant to assist the stepsisters as they compete for the lead roles in a live musical performance of “Cinderella" with Reed West, the infamous pop-star, as the Prince. ‬Tessa secretly dreams of auditioning but Divine forbids it. 

Georgie, a make-up artist, transforms Tessa’s identity to “Bella Snow” so she can audition without Divine and her mischievous daughters getting in the way. 

Now, Tessa must juggle her dual identities as the demands of her stepfamily, the Prince and the show complicate things! ‬

A Cinderella Story - If The Shoe Fits is available to pre-order from Amazon and I also have a copy of the DVD to give away and entry is via the rafflecopter below.

Extra terms and conditions apply which you can view on my competitions page.  The film is rated PG (Parental Guidance).

UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 24th February 2017.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

*post contains affiliate link

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Finishing touches that make a house a home

Whether you live in a poky city flat or a spacious country mansion, it’s those finishing touches that really make a house a home. The size of your property is somewhat irrelevant when it comes to adding your personal stamp, so take a look at these unique ideas and transform your living environment into something special, cosy and unique.

Internal doors

Believe it or not, you don’t have to undergo a complete renovation or spend a lot of money to get your home up to scratch. Replacing internal doors, for instance, is a simple, easy and cost-effective way to instantly personalise and upgrade the appearance of your abode. With so many different styles and designs available you won’t be short of choice, but remember to factor this home improvement into your budget to ensure you’ve got enough cash to do the job properly.

Matching soft furnishings

It’s amazing how soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, rugs, lampshades and curtains can brighten a room and complement the interior design of your property. While vibrant colours such as red, green, pink, purple and light blue work well against plain décor, blacks, greys and creams can also look stunning in a minimalist environment.

Once you’ve got an idea of what colours work well together, you can then start getting creative in each room giving each part of your home a different style and twist. Adding those finishing touches should be fun, so take the time to think your ideas through carefully and perhaps draw up a plan before hitting the shops (or internet) for furnishings that will fill your space with character.

Feature wall

Anyone can paint their walls beige or pop up some wallpaper – but what about unleashing your artistic flair by creating a feature wall? There are many techniques you can use from free painting and stencilling to sponge painting and experimenting with tape designs, so have a look online for some inspiration and think about what you want to achieve. When choosing where to paint your design, opting for a middle wall can be a good idea as it helps to give the room a focal point.

Photographs and artwork

Hanging pictures of your family on the walls is a great way to bring your memories to life and relive them every single day. You’ll feel good when you walk past and see them – and when you have guests, those beautiful images of your loved ones are sure to spark up a love-fuelled conversation.

As well as your favourite snaps, you could also think about investing in some artwork which really catches your eye. Not everyone has the same tastes and while some people may prefer expensive artwork painted by the very best artists, others may opt for street art that touches their heart instead – so go with what feels right for you. Before you buy, however, think about where your new pictures will go and take measurements in advance to ensure you make sensible purchases.

Transforming a property from bricks and mortar to somewhere that’s loved can be a wonderful experience, so make the most of it.

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Valentines Day Is Not For Kids

I must confess to being a little unsettled by a trend which has appeared on my social media timelines - Valentines gifts for children - even for those kids in primary school and younger.

Haven't we just spent enough on them for Christmas?

Or how about 'Valentines Day Activities' for kids?    A chocolate making workshop?  Heart decoupage?

And in the romance stakes, already competitive mums across the land are crossing their fingers that their offspring will come out of school clutching a sticky, chocolate smeared Valentine card or even a rose like a trophy.

The point is, of course is that it's romantic brownie points for the mother, and probably not a little confusion for the child.

Can anything be done to halt the ever increasing commercialism of every single 'celebration' in the calendar, including saints' days?

Probably not.  But we don't have to buy into it, particularly where our kids are concerned.

In the same way we don't need to encourage the ever earlier sexualisation of our kids any more than their doubtless exposure to social media is already doing.

Lots of people don't see the need for Valentines Day anyway.  If you love someone, they sensibly argue, why not tell them you love them on a daily basis.

Love is not proved by a bouquet of roses and pink champagne.  It's those loving gestures which shore us up against the monotony - the headaches, the setbacks, the bills.

It's the cup of tea in bed in the morning.  The pick-up from the railway station in the rain. The comforting hug when things go wrong.

It's the same for our kids.  Why teach them to equate love with presents?  Anybody can buy a basket with a teddy, a reading book and a lolly.

But how many parents will tuck the child up and read the book to them at night?

Why, oh why, encourage young kids to equate their desirability with their looks - particularly girls - when their self esteem at this age is so fragile?

I won't deny I enjoy a bunch of flowers but whilst I appreciate their beauty, I also understand what they may, or may not mean.

That's a skill honed from years of romantic experiences - both good and bad.

And those are experiences our kids may not be ready for - for a long time to come.

Let's celebrate their 'achievements' in the areas that matter - education, manners, being a nice person, a good person.

Everything else can wait.

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Can You Demystify The Dentist For Your Kids?

There are some words in life we need to learn not to say out loud. If you have a dog, you need to spell out "B-A-T-H" to ensure the element of surprise. Just as you need to spell "W-A-L-K" so that your household ornaments are safe from the tail-wagging frenzy.

Whilst we would never dream of comparing our children to dogs, there are words that raise their hackles too. L-I-C-E. Q-U-I-E-T. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. Perhaps top of that list would be "D-E-N-T-I-S-T." No child looks forward to sitting in that chair, to begin with. Any child who does should either be cherished or feared. But they need to go for regular appointments.

If they can't be persuaded to enjoy it, then they at least need to know why they need it.

1. "Do You Like Having Toothache?"

The reason that we have regular mandatory dental appointments for children is so that issues can be caught before they become problems. If a dentist spots decay early on, they can clean up some of the issue and recommend aftercare. This way, that tooth decay doesn't need to become a toothache - which is never fun.

2. "Would You Rather Stop Eating Chocolate?"



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Another reason that children need to see their dentist regularly is so that brushing regimes can be assessed and recommended. Most kids have a sweet tooth and poor impulse control, and without the assessment of their dentist, can let their brushing get sloppy. Combine the dangers of sugar with a lack of efficient brushing, and you get tooth decay running wild.

3. "Do You Want Yellow Teeth?"

There’s no doubting it, yellow teeth look awful and do nothing for a person’s self confidence. Although kids may not see it in exactly that way, everywhere they look there are singers and film stars with white teeth. Shane MacGowan is an exception, and we only ever hear or see him at Christmas. Regular appointments and some purchases from the likes of BF Mulholland will help.

4. "Mum's Going As Well!"



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Although it is important to persuade a child of the importance of seeing their dentist, there are positive ways to convince them. If you book them in at the same time as you, then you can let them sit in as you have your check-up. If they see you having yours, it will demystify the process for them. It's important, of course, that you stay upbeat during your appointment - and keep a cheery tone as they have theirs.

5. "You Like The Nurse/Stickers, Don't You?"

It would be hypocritical of us to tell our kids not to be afraid of the dentist - after all, we were at their age. But once you’re in there it is another matter, as there will always be someone to take their mind of it. A dental nurse will concentrate on keeping their spirits up while the dentist does what they need to do. At the end, there will always be a reward for a child who has been brave. If a sticker doesn’t work for your kid, you may need to resort to a treat as bribery - but it’s for the best reasons possible!

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Working Mum Debate: Work From Home Vs. Back To The Office

After pregnancy, many mothers have the choice between going back to work and staying at home with their child.

Nowadays, mostly thanks to the technological evolutions of the past several decades, there are many more work options that enable employees to work from home.

This is a concept especially interesting to mothers who wish to both spend time with their young children and not miss out on work.

These types of work often come in the form of "freelancing", and can be found through simple Google-searches or through any of the multiple freelancing platforms.

These professions predominantly include: freelance writing, freelance accounting, graphic design, web-development, marketing, teaching and translating.

On the other hand, going back to work in most cases means going back to the same company the mother worked at before her pregnancy.

However, there are also cases when a mum may wish to pursue a different career path. In those cases check what are the most in-demand jobs in your area and get yourself familiar with what qualifications you may need. Have a look also at mock interviews online, such as for example nursing interview questions for those interested in becoming part of the UK's ever growing healthcare industry.

With so many options out there, let’s explore the pros and cons of both working from home and going back to the office.

Work from home

Some pros of work from home are having no commute and cost savings (like those from childcare). You also get to be in your own space, which is said to inspire creativity and improve productivity. Plus, if you need to get recharged and enthused, you can spend time playing with your child instead of scrolling through social media in an office setting.

With some organization (and luck), you also could schedule your day around your child’s general nap or school schedule.

Some cons of work from home include the need for self-motivation and discipline.

You’ll have little to no socialization with like-minded adults, which means you’ll have to look elsewhere to bounce ideas around.

It can also be quite difficult to spend time with your child for 15 minutes during a work break, then having to close the door for two hours while you take a business call and can hear them cry from the other room.

Back to the office

The two main pros of going back to the office are interaction with other professionals and collaboration.

You are also able to focus more of your direct attention on your work while working in an office, as there is no possibility of your 3 old banging on the door and causing a temporary mind shift back into home mode.

Though the idea of absence making the heart grow fonder is pretty out there, it also makes you savor the time reading a storybook with your child even more.

Cons of going back to the office are headed by having to leave your kids everyday. Daycare drop-offs or trying to slip out the door while the babysitter attempts to distract them can be really difficult.

Working in an office can also mean having to put up with your company’s work environment, which can be loud, distracting and not as conducive to productivity as the work routine that normally gets your creative juices flowing.

No matter what work option you prefer, having the possibility to even have this debate is huge.

Without recent technological advances, many would still be debating between raising kids and working.

Now you can change your mind as you see fit and it is up to you to explore what inspires your productivity, suits your family and makes you the happiest with your work-life balance.

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