Wednesday, 5 April 2017

RJ Scott's Autism Awareness Blog Hop 2017 #autismawareness #giveaway







WELCOME!
Today I'm very lucky to be a part of a Blog Hop that is very personal to me.
Author RJ Scott's Autism Awareness Blog!








The theme of this years blog hop is animals. Hooray! I love animals.
I hope you will learn some interesting facts about Autism and the incredible link to animals, plus you'll meet some pretty amazing Authors and maybe win a prize or two.


So read on my friends!


 

Autism Awareness Factoid

When used as part of a child’s therapy, Service Dogs for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders may: create opportunities to learn responsibility, empathy, socialization, and communication development.




When I was researching what factoid I wanted to share about Animals and their connection to helping individuals on the Autism Spectrum, many sites said how it 'could' help or 'may' help. I have to say this really surprised me because I've seen first hand how interaction with animals has helped my son, M.

I grew up with dogs. All sorts actually, purebreds, mutt's, strays, big dogs and little yappers. Sometimes, my house was a temporary home, and sometimes we had playdates and slumber parties for friends dogs that had wandered over during the day or night. 

There was only one time that I lived without a dog, it was when I first moved out west. It was strange. I felt like I was missing something, like a connection to someone, which was odd because I wasn't alone, I had my boyfriend, my brother and friends. I couldn't figure out what it was until my boyfriend got what turned out to our first dog together.  And when that furry little mutt came home, it felt as though a vacant spot somewhere inside me was suddenly filled.  
I know, that was super sappy. But, that's what happened!  

The affect on M hasn't been quite the same because there has always been a dog in his life. So he doesn't know anything else. And we never set out to have dogs to help M, it just sort of happen naturally.

Soooo, I decided to ask him while I was researching,
"Do you feel like you have a connection to the dogs?"
In a typical 13 year old boy response, he shrugged his shoulders and said, "No."
I burst out laughing, I couldn't help it.
The kid cracks me up.

Then I asked him what he remembers about our dogs that we have lost, a furry Japanese Akita and a sweet Great Pyrenees mix. A big smile spread across his face
and we talked about the silly things each dog would do. And when it was time to say goodbye to my Japanese Akita, M remembered missing him right away ( he was 6 at the time) and described the day perfectly.
I questioned his answer of "no."
He laughed and shrugged again, "I guess I do." LOL

We now have two German Shepherds, who we have nicknamed, 'Baby and the Beast'. If you have a GSD then you already know the connection these dogs have to their humans, but the connection they have to their human children is...magical. I'm not sure how or why it happens, but these dogs have help M become more sociable ( which is a big one for him because of his hearing impairment ). When I started walking him to school with the Beast, kids would ask to pet Beast and asked questions and M would begin chatting away. Man, I loved that!

Baby supervising school work.
When we got Baby, his teacher told us in a parent-teacher interview how M came to school and told the class about his new puppy and what type of breed she was, plus the history of the breed. This is a kid that doesn't go out of his way to share personal info or talk out in class unless he has too, but he did that on his own without anybody prompting him. Woohoo!


TV time with Baby
He's also learned a sense of responsibility. He knew from a very young age that the dogs need to go 'out', and both M and his sister G share the responsibility of feeding them, as well as exercising them. And whether or not he wants it, the dogs will literally hang out with him and his sister. They really don't have a choice.

So as you see, just as M said, he has no connection at all with our dogs...NOT!!! LOL


Napping after a day at the beach.
As for the doctors and specialists that are still slapping that 'could' help or 'may' help into their research, I guess we'll have to be patience and wait for them to catch up to the rest of us.


Better hurry up boys! You're missing out on how magnificent the connection between animals and individuals with ASD or...just humans in general, truly is.





So there you have it, an interesting and informative Autism factoid, plus a little story about my experiences.


If you would like to learn more check out the Autism Speaks Canada website at http://www.autismspeaks.ca/

Kerry Magro
http://kerrymagro.com/68-things-to-know-about-autism-for-autism-awareness-month




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Erotic Paranormal Romance
Erotic Time Travel Romance

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Good luck!

Cheers,
Nancy

Monday, 18 April 2016

Autism Awareness Blog Hop 2016 #WorldAutismDay #Giveaway







WELCOME! WELCOME!


Today I'm part of a Blog Hop that is very personal to me. Author RJ Scott's Autism Awareness Blog.



This year the blog hop will address the five senses, sight, smell, sound, touch, taste. I can guarantee you will learn some interesting facts about Autism and the 5 senses plus you'll meet some pretty awesome Authors and maybe win a prize or two.


So read on my friends!
 


 

Autism Awareness Factoid

 
People with ASD who are hypo-sensitive to touch need to hold others tightly. 
 
This is because some people with ASD are sensitive to touch and perceive a lighter touch as unpleasant or in some cases, even painful.
 
Dr. Temple Grandin is the prefect example. Dr. Grandin was diagnosed with Autism when she was a child and exhibited the traditional trait of not wanting to be touched, not even by her own mother.
When she was 18 and attending college, she built the "Squeeze Box" or "Hug Machine", which is a deep-pressure device designed to calm sensitive people, usually individuals with ASD. Her invention allowed her to control and obtain the right amount of full-body pressure, which in turn helped relive her tension and anxiety.
 
I like to think about it in these terms: when I go for a massage I don't want some light feathery touch that makes me giggle. (I'm a bit ticklish.) I want my muscles kneaded, I want all the knots in my shoulders gone, I want to walk away feeling calm and relaxed and tension free.

So whether it's a machine, a massage or simply holding tightly, the key appears to be deep pressure.  My son M who is on the Autism spectrum prefers big bear hugs. Which in this house, is in readied supply and given out to anyone in need, Like M or his little sister G, my husband, friends, even the dogs! LOL

So there you have it, an interesting and informative Autism factoid.


If you would like to learn more check out the Autism Speaks Canada website at http://www.autismspeaks.ca/
 



***ENTER TO WIN!!!***

 
Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to ENTER for your chance to WIN a $10 GC to Amazon.com plus a copy of one of my E books...Winners choice.



No Matter When 
Erotic Time Travel 
Romance

The Soul Within 
Erotic Paranormal 
Romance








The Bannockburn Spell 
Erotic Fairy-tale 
Romance

EXTINCT 
 Erotic Shifter 
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ENTER HERE 

 


Good luck and thanks so much for stopping by!

Cheers,

Nancy

Thursday, 14 January 2016

Wildflowers of Montana Series by Vanessa Vale #giveaway #historical romance

 


Oh boy!!! Do I have a series for you.
Author Vanessa Vale is going to introduce us to the eight feisty Lenox sisters in her newest series, Wildflowers of Montana.
 
FYI...I have listed the books in order of  their release to make things a bit easier for you all.
 
If your anything like me, these little beauties will be on your TBR list by the time you're done reading my blog. lol

Enjoy!!
 
 
 



 
****GIVEAWAY ALERT****
The author will award a $50 Amazon or BN GC to one randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
*******

Wildflowers of Montana book #1
Rose
by  Vanessa Vale
 Rose Lenox has grown up to be more comfortable on the back of a horse than wearing ribbons and bows like her seven adopted sisters. For years working the land was enough, but lately Rose finds herself wishing for something different. She wants her own ranch and freedom from her overwhelming and unorthodox family. Rose is determined to strike out on her own and forge her own path.
 
Lenox neighbor, Chance Goodman, has watched Rose grow from a spitfire of a girl to a beautiful and fiery woman. For years he's waited patiently and watched her struggle to find her place in the world. When she leaves the Lenox ranch alone, determined to abandon her former life and to say good-bye to him, he knows the time has come to claim her. Letting her walk away isn't an option. Chance knows exactly what she needs...and he's going to give it to her.
 
Follow the eight Lenox sisters through this historical erotic series that's as big and bold as the Montana Sky. The Wildflowers of Montana begins with Rose and her hot, Alpha cowboy.
Buy Links

 
 * * * * * * * *
Wildflowers of Montana book #2
 Hyacinth
by  Vanessa Vale
When handsome Jackson Reed comes home from the army, he catches the immediate attention of the seven Lenox daughters. But he only has eyes for one — beautiful Hyacinth Lenox. It's apparent that she notices him as well, so why is she doing everything she can to avoid him?
Hyacinth can't stop thinking about the sandy-haired newcomer, but while she longs for happiness with Jackson, she feels unworthy to marry him or anyone else. Guilt from a tragic childhood incident dogs her even into adulthood, leaving her to feel undeserving of Jackson's love.
 
But Jackson isn't a man so easily dissuaded. He's determined to rid Hyacinth of her pain and make her his wife. Can he heal her past hurt and awaken her to the carnal pleasures he wants just with her? He senses a great capacity for love and passion in this fair Lenox flower. Unlocking it will mean a battle of wills, but love is worth the fight. 
 
Follow the eight Lenox sisters through this historical erotic series that's as big and bold as the Montana Sky. The Wildflowers of Montana continues with Hyacinth and her sharpshooting hero.

Buy Links
Amazon US
 
* * * * * * * *   
    
Wildflowers of Montana book #3
Dahlia
by  Vanessa Vale

The lure of the big city has called to tempestuous Dahlia Lenox, her entire life. Dahlia is tired of ranch life and all the rules and restrictions placed on women by polite society. She can't resist breaking the rules, and is very, very good at it. The poker table is her domain, the one place she yields to no one's rules but her own. She's staring down the biggest win in her life, a prize that will free her from small town life forever and she can't wait to claim her bittersweet victory. But nothing is perfect, and leaving town means leaving the only man who ever made her ache to be his, Garrison Lee. He wants everything she can't give him, including an obedient wife who surrenders to him in bed. Surrender is not in her nature, and as much as it hurts, she will keep all of her secrets and leave the arrogant and sexy Garrison behind.
Garrison Lee is tired of waiting. He's been patient. He's been courteous. He's been a damn gentleman and all that's gotten him is a polite brush off from Dahlia each of the three times he proposed. When Dahlia risks everything to escape him forever, Garrison is forced to raise the stakes in a single hand of poker...winner take all.

Dahlia is about to discover that Garrison won't take no for an answer, that her restlessness can be tamed by a man with a firm hand, and that he knows exactly how to channel her wild side into more carnal pursuits. But Dahlia is nothing if not stubborn. Garrison's seduction is relentless, his hand firm as he tries to convince his passionate new bride that everything she ever wanted is right in front of her...before he loses her forever.

Book 3 in the Wildflowers of Montana Series continues with the tempestuous Dahlia and the man who will tame her.

Buy Links
 
Amazon US                      KOBO
iTunes                               B&N 
 
* * * * * * * *
Wildflowers of Montana book #4
 Daisy
 by  Vanessa Vale
 
Buy Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMING SOON
from Vanessa Vale 
 
Wildflowers of Montana
book #5
 
 
 
Iris
by  Vanessa Vale
 
 
 
  
Wildflowers of Montana
 book #6
                                     
 
 
                                                 Poppy
                                         by  Vanessa Vale
 
 
  
Wildflowers of Montana
 book #7
  
 
  
Lily                             
by  Vanessa Vale
   
 
 
Wildflowers of Montana
book #8
  
 
 
 
                    Marigold
                                          by  Vanessa Vale
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 Author Bio 

#1 Amazon Bestseller in Erotic Western and Historical Erotica
 
Who doesn't love the romance of the old West? Vanessa Vale takes the sensual appeal of rugged cowboys a step further with her bestselling books set in the Montana Territory. They are much more than just sexy historical westerns. By introducing sexual taboos into this otherwise traditional romantic setting, Vanessa has won the loyalty of a fan base that never knows quite what to expect with each new series.
 
"Montana Maidens" was the first to push the envelope with strong BDSM themes. "Montana Men" followed suit with softer themes but lots of deliciously graphic sex. "The Bridgewater Series" showcases ménage relationships because sometimes one hot cowboy isn't enough. No-holds-barred, graphic descriptions, strong storytelling, engaging characters and breathtaking landscapes all combine to make very naughty reads.
 
And as a resident of Wild Wild West, Vanessa Vale finds plenty of inspiration for her work, for who doesn't love a handsome cowboy?
 

Where can you find Vanessa???

Website      Twitter     Facebook 
 
  
Follow the Tour!!!

The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: 
 


 
ENTER HERE!!!
 
 




Thanks for stopping by today Vanessa and the best of luck with Rose, Hyacinth,
Dahlia, Daisy, and soon to be Iris, Poppy, Lily, and Marigold.
WOW! That sure is a whole lot of Wildflowers.
 
Cheers,
Nancy